Google is rolling out a feature that allow users to change their Gmail address

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

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

Nonetheless, the up to date steerage on e mail tackle modifications seems solely within the Hindi model of Google’s help web page, suggesting the rollout could start in India or Hindi-speaking markets.

The help web page mentioned the function is progressively rolling out to all customers, suggesting full international adoption is coming, however may take a while.

The English-language web page retains prior steerage 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 routinely 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 companies 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 way of an advanced and fraught course of that might disrupt integrations with third-party apps.

Google mentioned current information, together with pictures, messages, and emails would stay unchanged after an tackle replace. Customers also can reuse the previous Google Account e mail tackle at any time, in line with a Google translation of the help web page in Hindi.

Nonetheless, accounts that change their Gmail tackle will not be capable 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 in regards to the change, which was reportedly first found inside consumer boards and tech communities.