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

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

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

Nonetheless, the up to date steering on electronic mail tackle modifications seems solely within the Hindi model of Google’s assist web page, suggesting the rollout might start in India or Hindi-speaking markets.

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

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

Underneath the brand new coverage, customers who change their tackle will mechanically preserve their unique tackle as an alias. Emails despatched to the previous 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 looking 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 present information, together with images, messages, and emails would stay unchanged after an tackle replace. Customers can even reuse the previous Google Account electronic mail tackle at any time, in accordance with a Google translation of the assist web page in Hindi.

Nonetheless, accounts that change their Gmail tackle will not have the ability to 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 concerning the change, which was reportedly first found inside consumer boards and tech communities.