Google Rolls Out Gmail Username Change for US Users

Google has begun a widespread rollout of a long-awaited feature allowing users in the United States to change the username portion of their Gmail address without creating a new account or losing access to their data. The update, which started in limited form last year, became available to all eligible U.S. Google Account holders this week, enabling them to update the part of their email before "@gmail.com" for services like Gmail, Google Drive, Photos, and Calendar.

The change addresses a common frustration for users who selected casual or outdated usernames years ago, often during their teenage years, and now seek something more professional. For instance, someone with an address like "[email protected]" can switch to "[email protected]," provided the new username is available and ends in "@gmail.com." Google officials stated that the old address will automatically become an alias, meaning users can continue to receive, send, and sign in with emails sent to it. All existing account data, including emails, files, and history, remains intact and preserved.

Users can access the option through their Google Account settings on the web, Android, or iOS devices. By navigating...