You can change the email address associated with your Gmail account in a few minutes
Gmail lets you change the email address you use to sign in — called your primary email address — but the process depends on whether you have a Gmail address (one that ends in @gmail.com) or a non-Gmail address (like one from your workplace or a custom domain). If you have a Gmail address, you cannot change it to a different Gmail address; you can only add a recovery email or change to a non-Gmail address you already own. If you use a non-Gmail address to sign in, you can change it to a different non-Gmail address or to a Gmail address.
The steps take about five minutes and happen inside your Google Account settings, not inside Gmail itself. You will need access to both your current email address and the new one you want to use, because Google sends a confirmation link to each.
Key Takeaways
- You cannot change a Gmail address (@gmail.com) to a different Gmail address, but you can change it to a non-Gmail address you own.
- If you use a non-Gmail address to sign in, you can change it to any other email address you have access to.
- The change happens in Google Account settings under "Email and phone", not in the Gmail app or website.
- Google sends a confirmation link to both your old and new email addresses, so you must be able to receive mail at both.
- After you change your primary email, you can still receive mail sent to your old address for a limited time if you set it up as a recovery email.
How to change your primary email address
Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in with your current email and password. On the left side, click Personal info. In the main section, find Email and phone and click it. You will see your current primary email address listed there.
Click the pencil icon next to your email address. A box will open asking you to enter the new email address you want to use. Type it in and click Next. Google will send a confirmation code to your new email address — check that inbox and enter the code when prompted. Then Google sends a confirmation link to your old email address; click that link to finish the change.
Your primary email address updates when ready after you confirm both messages. You can now sign into your Google Account using the new address. Your old address will no longer work to sign in, though you can add it back as a recovery email if you want to receive forwarded messages there.
What happens to mail sent to your old Gmail address
If you are changing away from a Gmail address (@gmail.com), mail sent to that old address will bounce back to the sender after a few months. Google does not forward old Gmail mail to your new address automatically. If you want to keep receiving messages sent to your old address, you have two options: set up mail forwarding before you change your primary email, or add your old address as a recovery email and ask people to update their contacts.
To set up forwarding, go back to myaccount.google.com, click Personal info, then Email and phone. Find your current Gmail address and click the three-dot menu next to it. Select Forward email and enter the new address where you want messages to go. Gmail will send a confirmation link to the new address; click it to turn on forwarding. After that, any mail arriving at your old Gmail address will automatically forward to your new one.
Forwarding works for about one year after you change your primary email. After that, the old address becomes inactive and forwarding stops. If you think you might need the old address again later, add it as a recovery email instead of setting up forwarding — recovery emails stay linked to your account indefinitely.
Adding a recovery email without changing your primary address
If you want to keep your current primary email but add a backup address that can receive forwarded mail or help you recover your account, you do not have to change anything. Go to myaccount.google.com, click Personal info, then Email and phone. Click Add recovery email and enter the address you want to add. Google will send a confirmation code to that address; enter it to confirm.
A recovery email is different from your primary email. It does not change how you sign in, and people cannot reach you there by sending mail to your Gmail address. Instead, a recovery email is used by Google to help you regain access if you forget your password or your account is compromised. You can have up to three recovery emails on one account.
Changing your email on a work or school account
If your Gmail account is managed by your workplace, school, or organization, you may not be able to change your primary email address yourself. Your IT department or account administrator controls these settings. Contact them to ask whether a change is possible and what the process is.
Even if you cannot change your primary email, you can usually add a recovery email following the steps above. A recovery email gives you a backup way to sign in and helps protect your account if something goes wrong.
What to do if you cannot access your old email address
If you want to change your primary email but no longer have access to your current one, you will need to recover your account first. Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and follow the prompts. Google will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email, a recovery phone number, or answers to security questions you set up earlier. Once you regain access, you can change your primary email using the steps above.
If you do not have a recovery email or phone number on file and cannot answer your security questions, account recovery becomes much harder. Google may ask you to provide a government ID or other proof that you own the account. This process can take several days. To avoid this situation in the future, add a recovery email and phone number to your account as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Gmail address to a different Gmail address?
No. Gmail addresses (@gmail.com) cannot be changed to other Gmail addresses. You can change to a non-Gmail address you own, or you can create a new Gmail account and transfer your data. If you want a different Gmail address, you will need to set up a new account.
How long does it take for the change to take effect?
The change takes effect when ready after you confirm the verification codes sent to both your old and new email addresses. You can sign in with your new address right away. However, if you set up mail forwarding, it may take a few minutes for the first forwarded messages to arrive.
Will I lose my emails if I change my primary email address?
No. All your emails, contacts, and files stay in your account. Changing your primary email address only changes the address you use to sign in — it does not delete or move any of your data. Your inbox remains exactly the same.
Can I change my email address on my phone?
You can start the process on your phone by opening a web browser and going to myaccount.google.com, but it is easier on a computer. The confirmation codes and links are sent to email, so you will need to switch between apps or windows to complete the change. A desktop or laptop makes this simpler.
What if someone else is using my old email address after I change it?
Gmail recycles inactive email addresses after a long period, so someone else could eventually sign up for your old Gmail address. To prevent confusion, turn off mail forwarding after a year or so, and ask important contacts to update your address in their records before that happens.