Where to find the email change option
The email change option lives in your account settings, not in your inbox or main menu. On most services, you reach it by clicking your profile picture or name in the top right corner, then selecting "Settings," "Account," or "Preferences." From there, look for a section labeled "Email," "Contact Information," or "Account Email."
Some services put it under "Security" instead, because changing your email is treated as a security action. If you cannot find it in the obvious places, search the settings page for the word "email" — most sites have a search box within settings that will take you directly there.
The exact path varies by service. Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple Mail each organize their settings differently, as do social media platforms, banking apps, and shopping sites. The principle is the same: settings first, then look for email or contact information.
Key Takeaways
- Email change options are always in account settings, usually under a profile menu in the top right corner of the page or app.
- Most services require you to verify your current email address before they let you change it, so you must still have access to the old address.
- Some services send a confirmation link to your new email address and will not complete the change until you click it.
- If you no longer have access to your old email, you will need to use account recovery options like a phone number, security questions, or a backup email address you set up earlier.
- After you change your email, update it everywhere else you use it — password managers, two-factor authentication apps, and any services that send you receipts or notifications.
The verification step that most services require
Before your new email takes effect, the service will ask you to prove you own both the old address and the new one. This usually means clicking a confirmation link sent to your new email, or entering a code that arrives there. Some services also ask you to re-enter your password as a final security check.
This step exists because someone with access to your account could otherwise lock you out by changing the email to an address they control. The verification protects you. It also means you cannot complete the change if your new email address is not working yet — make sure it is set up and receiving mail before you start the process.
The confirmation link or code usually expires after a few hours or a few days. If you miss the window, you can request a new one. Some services let you do this from the settings page; others send you a new link automatically if you try to log in with your old email.
What to do if you cannot access your old email anymore
If your old email account is closed, hacked, or you straightforward no longer have the password, you cannot use the normal verification process. Instead, use your service's account recovery option. This is usually a link on the login page that says "Can't access your account?" or "Forgot your password?"
Account recovery typically asks you to verify your identity using backup information you set up when you created the account — a phone number, a recovery email address, security questions, or a backup code you saved. Different services accept different combinations. If you set up two-factor authentication with an authenticator app or text messages, that can also work.
Once you have recovered access to your account, you can change the email address normally. If you did not set up any backup recovery options when you created the account, the service may not be able to verify you are the real owner. In that case, contact the service's support team with proof of identity — they can sometimes reset your email manually, though the process is slower.
Changing email on Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo
Gmail: Sign in, click your profile picture in the top right, select "Manage your Google Account," then go to the "Personal info" tab. Click "Email" and select "Change email address." You will be asked to enter your current password and then to verify the new address. Gmail sends a confirmation link to the new address; click it to finish.
Outlook: Sign in, click your profile picture, select "View account" or "Manage your account," then go to "Security & privacy." Under "Email addresses," click "Add email" to add a new address, then "Make primary" to switch to it. You must verify the new address before it becomes your main login email.
Yahoo: Sign in, click your account icon, select "Account info," then go to "Account security." Under "Email address," click "Change" and follow the verification steps. Yahoo requires you to confirm the change from both your old and new email addresses.
Changing email on social media and shopping accounts
Facebook: Click your profile picture, select "Settings & privacy," then "Settings." Go to "Personal information" and click "Email." You can add a new email and set it as primary. Facebook asks you to verify the new address before the change takes effect.
Instagram: Go to your profile, tap the menu icon, select "Settings and privacy," then "Account." Tap "Email" and enter your new address. Instagram sends a confirmation code to the new email; enter it to complete the change.
Amazon: Sign in, go to "Account & Lists," select "Your Account," then "Login & security." Click "Edit" next to your email address, enter the new one, and verify it. Amazon sends a confirmation link to the new address.
eBay: Sign in, click your username, select "Account settings," then "Personal information." Click "Edit" next to your email address, enter the new one, and confirm it through the link eBay sends.
Updating your email everywhere else you use it
Changing your email in one account does not change it everywhere. You must update it in any other place where you use it. This includes password managers like LastPass or 1Password, two-factor authentication apps like Google Authenticator or Authy, and any service that sends you notifications or receipts.
Start with password managers and authentication apps, because these protect your other accounts. Then update any service that sends you important information — banks, insurance companies, tax software, health providers, and your employer's benefits portal. After that, update shopping sites, streaming services, and social media if you want notifications to reach your new address.
If you set up a recovery email address in any account, update that too. A recovery email is different from your main email — it is a backup address the service uses to help you regain access if you lose your main email. Check your security settings in each major account to see if you have one set, and change it if it points to your old email.
What happens to mail sent to your old email after you change it
The service stops sending new mail to your old email address as soon as the change takes effect. However, mail that was already sent to the old address stays there — the service does not forward it. If you still have access to the old email account, you can set up forwarding in that email service to send everything to your new address.
For services that send you receipts, confirmations, or password reset links, the change is when ready. The next time you request a password reset or receive a notification, it will go to your new address. If you are worried about missing something important, log into the old email account and set up a forwarding rule before you change your address in the service.
If you are closing the old email account entirely, do this after you have changed your email in all your other accounts and set up forwarding. Closing it too early means you will miss confirmation links and recovery codes that services send during the transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my email address if I do not remember my password?
No, most services require your current password to change your email for security reasons. Use the "Forgot password?" link on the login page to reset it first. You will need access to your current email or a backup recovery method to reset the password.
What if the confirmation link expires before I click it?
Go back to your account settings and request a new confirmation link. Most services let you do this from the email change page itself. The new link will be sent to your new email address and usually stays valid for several hours to a few days.
Will changing my email log me out of my account?
Usually not. Most services let you stay logged in while you change your email. However, some may log you out as a security measure. If this happens, log back in with your new email address and your password.
Can I change my email address on my phone or just on a computer?
You can change it on either. The steps are the same whether you use the website or the mobile app — go to settings, find the email option, and follow the verification process. Some apps make it slightly harder to find, but the option is there.
What should I do with my old email account after I change it everywhere?
Keep it open for at least a few weeks so you can catch any confirmation links or recovery codes that arrive late. After that, you can close it, but set up forwarding first so you do not miss anything important. Some services take time to update their records.