Where to find the email change option

The steps to change your email address depend on which service you use. Most accounts — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, social media, banking, and work email — keep the email setting in the same general location: your account settings or profile page. The fastest way to find it is to log in, look for a gear icon or your name in the top right corner, and select "Settings" or "Account Settings".

Once you are in settings, look for a section called "Personal Information", "Account", "Email", or "Contact Information". The exact name varies by service. If you cannot find it after a quick look, use the search box within settings — most platforms have one — and type "email" or "change email".

Before you make any change, write down your current email address and your new one. You will need both, and you may need to verify the new address before the change takes effect.

Key Takeaways

  • Most services require you to verify your new email address by clicking a link or entering a code sent to that address before the change is complete.
  • You will usually need to enter your password to confirm the change, even if you are already logged in.
  • Some services let you keep your old email as a recovery option after the change, which helps if you forget your password later.
  • If you are changing email on a work or school account, contact your IT department first — they may have restrictions or a required process.
  • After you change your email, update it on any other services that use that address to log in, such as password managers or two-factor authentication apps.

Gmail and Google accounts

Log in to your Google account and go to myaccount.google.com. On the left side, click "Personal information". Find the email section and click on your current email address. A box will appear with an option to change it.

Google will ask you to enter a new email address and your password to confirm. The new address must not already be associated with another Google account. After you enter it, Google sends a verification email to the new address — you must click the link in that email within a set time to complete the change. Until you do, your account still uses the old email.

After the change is complete, you can keep your old email as a recovery address if you want. This means you can use it to regain access if you forget your password. Google will ask if you want to do this.

Outlook and Microsoft accounts

Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in. Click "Your info" at the top. Under "Account aliases", you will see your current email. Click "Add email" or "Manage how you sign in to Microsoft" depending on your account type.

Enter your new email address. Microsoft sends a verification code to that address — enter the code to confirm it is yours. Once verified, you can set the new email as your primary sign-in address. Your old email can remain as an alias, which means you can still use it to log in if you want, but the new one becomes the main one.

If you have a Hotmail or Live address and want to keep using it, you do not have to remove it. Microsoft lets you keep multiple email addresses on one account.

Yahoo Mail

Log in to your Yahoo account and click your name or profile icon in the top right. Select "Account info". Click "Account" on the left side, then "Change email address".

Yahoo will show you options: you can add a new email address to your account or replace your current one. If you add a new one, you can set it as primary later. If you replace it, your old address is removed. Yahoo sends a verification code to the new address — you must enter it to finish the change.

Yahoo requires you to wait 30 days before you can change your email address again, so choose carefully the first time.

Social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok)

The process is similar across most social platforms. Log in, go to Settings, find "Email" or "Contact Information", and enter your new address. The platform sends a verification email — click the link to confirm.

Facebook and Instagram let you add multiple email addresses to one account and switch which one is primary. Twitter and TikTok typically replace the old address with the new one. After the change, your old email no longer works to log in, though you can add it back later if needed.

If you use your email to log into these accounts through a third-party app (like a password manager), update that app with your new email after the change is complete.

Bank and financial accounts

Log into your bank's website or app. Look for "Settings", "Profile", or "Account Information". Find the email section and select the option to change it. Banks almost always require you to enter your password and may send a verification code to your phone or current email as an extra security step.

Some banks limit how often you can change your email — you may have to wait 24 hours or longer between changes. If you are locked out or cannot find the option, call your bank's customer service line. They can change it for you over the phone after verifying your identity.

After you change your email, make sure your bank has your correct phone number too. Banks use both to contact you about fraud or account issues.

Work and school email accounts

Do not change a work or school email address on your own. Contact your IT department or help desk first. These accounts are often managed by your employer or school, and changing the email yourself can break access to shared files, calendars, or other services.

Your IT department can change it for you and update all the systems that depend on it at the same time. This takes a day or two but prevents problems later. If you have already changed it and things are not working, tell IT right away so they can fix it.

What to do after you change your email

After your email change is complete, go through any other services that use that email address. This includes password managers, two-factor authentication apps, online shopping accounts, and subscription services. Update them with your new email so you can still log in and receive important messages.

Check your old email account for a few weeks to catch any messages from services you forgot to update. When you are sure nothing important is coming to the old address, you can delete that account or leave it inactive.

If you changed your primary email on a service that lets you keep multiple addresses, test logging in with both to make sure they both work. This is especially important for banking and email accounts where you might need a backup way to sign in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not receive the verification email?

Check your spam or junk folder first — verification emails sometimes end up there. If it is not there, wait a few minutes and request the email again. Most services have a "Resend verification" button. If you still do not receive it, make sure you typed the new email address correctly and that it is not already in use on another account with the same service.

Can I change my email address back to the old one?

Yes, but the rules depend on the service. Gmail, Outlook, and most social media platforms let you change your email as many times as you want. Yahoo makes you wait 30 days between changes. Banks may have their own limits. If you want to switch back, follow the same process you used to change it the first time.

What happens to emails sent to my old address?

Once you change your email, the old address no longer belongs to you. If someone sends mail to it, you will not receive it. If you want to keep receiving messages at the old address, do not delete that email account — just stop using it as your primary sign-in. Some services let you keep the old address as an alias for this reason.

Do I need to change my password when I change my email?

You do not have to, but it is a good idea. Changing your password at the same time adds an extra layer of security. If someone had access to your old email account, changing your password locks them out even if they know the old address.

What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to change my email?

Use the "Forgot password" link on the login page. Most services send a reset link to your current email address. If you no longer have access to that email, look for an option to verify your identity another way — usually a phone number, security questions, or a backup email address you set up earlier. If none of those work, contact the service's support team with proof of your identity.