Google says all users in the US can now change their Google Account username; users are restricted to one username change every 12 months

Your old email will still be available as an alternate address. … Many of us have a poorly chosen email address that's laced with regret, but we're now stuck with it.

Engadget 2026-04-01 Kris Holt

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@google @google on x
You asked, we delivered. If you're a U.S. Google user, you can now change your account username for tools like Gmail, Photos, Drive and more — while keeping your emails, data and account history. Here's what to know: 1️⃣ You can choose any available @gmail.com username. 2️⃣ [imag…
@sundarpichai Sundar Pichai on x
2004 was a good year, but your Gmail address doesn't need to be stuck in it. 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
@chanduthota Chandu Thota on x
Don't like your @gmail address? You get to change it and keep your existing email/Google Account work seamlessly. We are now allowing you to change your gmail address - if you want to grab a new name, you can do it now. Here is how picking a new name going to work: 1. Your
@dillon_mulroy Dillon Mulroy on x
i can only imagine the insane lift this took - consider all the systems across google that are probably keying data on gmail addresses and or cached data.
@google @google on x
PSA: You can change your Google account username without losing access to your emails or account history. That way, you don't have to make a new account to avoid using your Gmail address from years ago. Here's how ⬇️ [video]
@lanreadelowo @lanreadelowo on x
rip to everyone who vibe coded oauth2 authentication and used email address as the primary key/id
@anildash.com Anil Dash on bluesky
What a fascinating denouement to the fight over “real names” on Google Plus... fifteen years ago. web.archive.org/web/20111222... [embedded post]
@permadeath.com @permadeath.com on bluesky
seriously considering doing this but the amount of blast radius of anything breaks is... [embedded post]
@quinnypig.com Corey Quinn on bluesky
It was a bit hypocritical of Alphabet not to allow this. [embedded post]

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Google says all users in the US can now change their Google Account username; users are restricted to one username change every 12 months

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