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  "path": "/tech/google-gmail-email-address",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-09T14:45:51.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "March 31, 2026",
    "HBO Max launches in UK, but it might already be on borrowed time",
    "Virgin Media, BT, EE, and more increase broadband prices today — are YOU on the list?",
    "Netflix confirms price rise in US, and the UK may not be far behind",
    "Best VPN deals",
    "Windows 11 reaches impressive new milestone",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter",
    "@gmail.com",
    "@sundarpichai"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\n\n_Breathe a sigh of relief!_ You can finally ditch that cringeworthy Gmail address that's haunted you for the last 22 years. Google will let you swap your username – that's the bit before @gmail.com – to something else.\n\nGoogle CEO Sundar Pichai shared the news on X, formerly Twitter, writing: \"2004 was a good year, but your Gmail address doesn't need to be stuck in it.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n> 2004 was a good year, but your Gmail address doesn't need to be stuck in it.\n>\n> To say goodbye to v0t3f0rp3dr02004@gmail.com or mrbrightside416@gmail.com (or whatever you were into at the time), go to your Google Account settings and choose any name available. You'll keep your old…\n>\n> — Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) March 31, 2026\n\nThe best part? You won't lose a single email, contact, or any of your account history in the process.\n\nWhen you pick a new username, your old address doesn't just vanish into thin air. Instead, it automatically becomes an alias for your account. This means both your old _and new_ Gmail addresses will point to the same inbox. Any emails sent to your previous address will still land right under your new username.\n\nYou can also sign in to all your Google services – whether that's Gmail, Drive, YouTube, Maps or Google Play – using either address. Your photos, messages, and everything else linked to your account also stay exactly where they are, as nothing gets lost or moved around.\n\nThere are a few catches to keep in mind, though.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * HBO Max launches in UK, but it might already be on borrowed time\n  * Virgin Media, BT, EE, and more increase broadband prices today — are YOU on the list?\n  * Netflix confirms price rise in US, and the UK may not be far behind\n  * Best VPN deals\n  * **Windows 11 reaches impressive new milestone**\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nFirst, you're only allowed to change your Gmail username once every 12 months, so it's best to really make sure you're happy with it. On top of that, there's a lifetime cap of three changes per account. Once you've used up those three swaps, that's your lot.\n\nIf you have a change of heart, you can switch back to a previous username, but only if it's still available and hasn't been snapped up by someone else. This same caveat applies to social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok.\n\nThe same yearly and lifetime limits apply to reversions, too.\n\nFor now, this feature is exclusively available to personal Gmail accounts in the US. Google hasn't announced when it might reach users elsewhere in the world.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTo change your username, head to your Google Account settings and tap on the Personal info section.\n\nFrom there, look for the email or username field and click to edit it. You'll then be able to pick any available @gmail.com address that you prefer.\n\nOnce you confirm the change, your new username becomes your primary identity. It's what people will see when you send emails, share files on Drive, or use \"Sign in with Google\" on other websites.\n\nGoogle recommends backing up your data before making the switch, too. While the process shouldn't cause any issues, it's always smart to have that safety net in place so you don't lose any valuable information\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Google just solved one of the biggest problems with your old Gmail email address"
}