After Years of Permanence, Google Considers Making Gmail Usernames Editable

For years, Gmail users have been stuck with usernames chosen in haste—teenage nicknames, awkward number strings, or outdated handles. Unlike passwords or profile photos, Gmail addresses were permanent. Until now.

What the New Feature Would Offer

According to a Google support page, the company is gradually rolling out a feature to change Gmail usernames while keeping the same Google account. Key points include:

• The old email address becomes an alias, so emails sent to either the old or new address appear in the same inbox.
• Users can continue signing in to Gmail, YouTube, Maps, Drive, and Google Play with either address.
• All account data—emails, files, photos, and messages—remains intact.
• The original Gmail address cannot be claimed by another user, addressing security concerns.

Limits and Safeguards

To prevent abuse or impersonation, Google has set some restrictions:

• Users can change their Gmail address up to three times.
• After a change, users cannot create a new Gmail address for one year.
• The feature is rolling out gradually and may not be available to all accounts immediately.

Implications for Digital Identity

This move signals a shift in how Google—and potentially other tech companies—treats digital identity. Email addresses, once permanent anchors for logins and communications, may now become adaptable identifiers, allowing users to reflect changes in personal or professional life without losing years of data.

While the rollout is limited, if expanded, this feature could end the era of permanent Gmail usernames, giving users more control over their digital identities.