You cannot change the address itself, but you can create a new Gmail account and transfer your data

Gmail does not have a built-in feature to change your email address once it is created. The address you choose at signup is permanent. However, you can set up a new Gmail account with a different address and move your emails, contacts, and settings to it. This takes a few hours of work but keeps your data intact.

The process involves creating the new account, forwarding your old mail to the new one, updating your recovery information, and notifying your contacts. Google will not do this for you — you manage each step yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • Gmail addresses cannot be edited or renamed after creation; you must create a new account with a different address.
  • You can set Gmail to forward all incoming mail from your old address to your new one for up to 30 days.
  • Transferring your existing emails requires downloading them from the old account and uploading them to the new one, or using a third-party tool like Thunderbird.
  • Update your recovery email and phone number on the new account so you can regain access if you forget your password.
  • Notify important contacts — banks, employers, services you pay for — of your new address before you stop checking the old one.

Create your new Gmail account first

Go to accounts.google.com and click "Create account". Choose "For myself" unless you are setting up a business account. Enter your first and last name, then select your new email address. Gmail will suggest variations if your first choice is taken. You can use letters, numbers, and periods in the address.

Create a strong password — at least 8 characters, mixing uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Add a recovery email address (this should be a different email you control, not another Gmail account). Add a phone number if you have one; this is your fastest way back in if you lose access. Complete the security check and finish account creation.

Set up mail forwarding from your old account

Sign into your old Gmail account. Click the gear icon in the top right, then select "See all settings". Go to the "Forwarding and POP/IMAP" tab. Click "Add a forwarding address" and enter your new Gmail address. Gmail will send a confirmation email to the new address — open it and click the confirmation link.

Once confirmed, go back to the forwarding settings and select "Forward all mail to [your new address]" and choose whether to keep a copy in your old inbox or delete it. Most people keep a copy for the first week while they confirm the new address is working. This forwarding lasts 30 days, then stops automatically.

Move your existing emails to the new account

Your old emails will not automatically appear in the new account. You have two options: read them and upload them, or use a tool that moves them for you.

Using Google Takeout (read method): Sign into your old account. Go to takeout.google.com. Deselect everything except "Mail". Click "All Mail data included" to read everything. Choose your file format (MBOX works best) and read size. Google will prepare a file and email you a read link. This can take hours if you have thousands of emails.

Once you have the file, sign into your new account and go to mail.google.com. Click the gear icon, select "Settings", then "Labels". Scroll down and click "Import mail". Upload your downloaded file. Gmail will sort the emails into the correct folders.

Using Thunderbird (automatic method): read Thunderbird, a free email program from Mozilla. Add both your old and new Gmail accounts to it. Thunderbird will read all your old emails. Then drag them into the new account's folders. This is faster if you have a lot of mail and want to organize as you go.

Update your recovery information and security settings

Sign into your new account and go to myaccount.google.com. Click "Security" in the left menu. Scroll to "How we can help you sign in" and verify your recovery email and phone number are correct. If you added a recovery email during signup, it should already be there.

Check "Your devices" to see where you are signed in. Sign out of the new account on any device you do not use regularly. Review "Recent security events" to make sure no one else has accessed it. Turn on two-step verification if you want extra security — this requires a code from your phone when you sign in from a new device.

Tell your important contacts about your new address

Make a list of services and people who have your old email: your bank, employer, insurance company, subscription services, social media accounts, and close contacts. Update your email address in each one. Start with financial accounts and work accounts first, since losing access to those costs you money or your job.

For social media and shopping accounts, use the "Change email" option in account settings. For banks and insurance, you may need to call or visit in person. Keep checking your old email for a few weeks to catch any password reset links or confirmations you missed, then you can stop using it.

Delete your old account if you want to

After 30 days, the forwarding stops and mail sent to your old address will bounce back. At this point, you can delete the old account if you no longer need it. Sign into the old account, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Data & privacy" in the left menu, then scroll to "Delete your Google Account". Follow the steps to confirm.

Deleting the account removes it permanently after 2 months. During those 2 months, you can still sign back in and cancel the deletion. After 2 months, everything — emails, contacts, calendar, photos stored in that account — is gone. If you might need the old emails later, keep the account open but stop using it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my old Gmail address again after I delete the account?

No. Once you delete a Gmail account, Google locks that address permanently. No one, including you, can create a new account with that same address. If you think you might want to use it again, keep the account open but inactive instead of deleting it.

What if I have a Gmail address through Google Workspace (for work)?

Work Gmail addresses cannot be changed by you — your administrator controls them. Contact your IT department or manager to request a change. They may be able to create a new address and migrate your data, or they may not allow it depending on company policy.

Will my contacts automatically update to my new address?

No. Your contacts will not know your new address unless you tell them. Send an email from your new account to important people, or update your address in shared contact lists. For work contacts, ask your IT department to update the directory.

How long does it take to move all my emails?

Forwarding starts when ready once you confirm it. Downloading and uploading old emails through Google Takeout takes a few hours to a few days depending on how many emails you have. Using Thunderbird is usually faster if you have thousands of emails.

Can I have both email addresses active at the same time?

Yes. You can keep both accounts open indefinitely. Many people keep their old account open to receive mail forwarded from it, then sign into the new account for daily use. You can check both by signing out and signing back in, or by adding both to an email client like Thunderbird.