You can now pick a new username and keep all your old emails, but there is a catch you need to know before you switch.
Google has started rolling out the ability to change your Gmail address, specifically the part before @gmail.com, without creating a brand new account. The feature is currently available in the United States only, with no confirmed timeline for other countries yet. Not all US accounts have it right now, so if you do not see it today, check back in a few days.
To make the change, go to your Google Account settings and tap Personal info. Then tap Email, followed by Google Account email. If the update has reached your account, you will see a blue button that says Change Google Account email. Tap it and pick a new unique username.
The good news is you do not lose anything. Your original Gmail address stays on your account as an alternate, so anyone emailing your old address will still reach you. All your existing emails, contacts, and account data carry over with no disruption.
The one thing to keep in mind is the limit. Google only allows this change once every 12 months. That means if you pick a new address and later regret it, you are waiting a full year before you can change it again. Choose carefully.
This is one of the most requested Gmail features for years. Google letting users change their address without abandoning their entire account history is a significant quality of life upgrade for anyone stuck with an old or unprofessional username.
Google rolls out Gmail address changes for US users, letting anyone pick a new username once every 12 months while keeping their original address active as an alternate.
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