Google is rolling out a function that enable customers to vary their Gmail tackle

Google simply unveiled a Christmas reward for Gmail customers who’re nonetheless caught with their embarrassing electronic mail addresses from highschool.

In a long-requested change, account holders can now change their current @gmail.com tackle with a brand new one whereas retaining all information and providers, in line with an replace to Google’s account assist web page.

Nevertheless, the up to date steerage on electronic mail tackle adjustments seems solely within the Hindi model of Google’s assist web page, suggesting the rollout could start in India or Hindi-speaking markets.

The assist web page stated the function is progressively rolling out to all customers, suggesting full world adoption is coming, however might take a while.

The English-language web page retains prior steerage stating that @gmail.com addresses “often can’t be modified.” Google didn’t instantly reply to CNBC’s inquiry about which areas can be the primary to obtain the function. 

Below the brand new coverage, customers who change their tackle will robotically preserve their authentic tackle as an alias. Emails despatched to the outdated tackle will proceed to reach within the inbox, and the unique tackle will nonetheless work for signing in to Google providers like Drive, Maps and YouTube. 

Beforehand, customers searching for a brand new Gmail tackle needed to create a brand new account and switch their information manually by means of an advanced and fraught course of that might disrupt integrations with third-party apps.

Google stated current information, together with photographs, messages and emails would stay unchanged after an tackle replace. Customers can even reuse the outdated Google account electronic mail tackle at any time, in line with a Google translation of the assist web page in Hindi.

Nevertheless, accounts that change their Gmail tackle will not be capable of create one other new Gmail tackle for the subsequent 12 months and can’t delete the brand new chosen tackle. 

Google has not issued a proper press launch or announcement in regards to the change, which was reportedly first found inside consumer boards and tech communities.