You can change the email address associated with your Gmail account in a few steps, but the process depends on whether you want a new Gmail address or just want to update the recovery email on file
Gmail gives you two separate options. You can create a new Gmail address and transfer your account to it, or you can update your recovery email address — the backup email Gmail uses to help you regain access if you get locked out. Most people who say they want to "change their Gmail address" actually mean one of these two things, and they work very differently.
If you want a completely different Gmail address (like switching from john.smith@gmail.com to j.smith@gmail.com), you'll need to create a new Gmail account and move your data over. If you just want to update the backup email address on your current account, that takes about two minutes and happens right in your account settings.
Key Takeaways
- You cannot rename your existing Gmail address — you can only create a new Gmail account with a different address and move your data to it.
- To update your recovery email (the backup address Gmail uses to help you regain access), go to myaccount.google.com, select Security, and edit your recovery email under "How we can reach you."
- If you create a new Gmail account, you'll need to read your emails, contacts, and calendar from your old account and upload them to the new one.
- Gmail will not automatically forward mail from your old address to your new one, so you should set up forwarding manually or tell your contacts about the change.
How to update your recovery email address
Your recovery email is the backup address Gmail contacts you at if you forget your password or someone tries to access your account without permission. Updating it takes just a few minutes and doesn't change your actual Gmail address.
Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in with your Gmail address and password. On the left side, click Security. Scroll down to the section labeled "How we can reach you" and look for your recovery email address. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit. Enter the new email address you want Gmail to use as your backup, then click Save. Google will send a confirmation code to that new address — check your inbox there and enter the code to finish.
How to create a new Gmail address and move your account
If you want a completely different Gmail address, you'll create a new account from scratch. Go to accounts.google.com/signup and fill in your name, desired Gmail address, password, and recovery information. Once your new account is set up, you can move your old emails, contacts, and calendar data to it.
To move your emails, sign into your old Gmail account, click the gear icon in the top right, select Settings, then go to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab. Enable IMAP (if it's not already on), then sign into your new Gmail account. Click the gear icon again, go to Settings, select the Accounts and Import tab, and choose Import mail and contacts. Enter your old Gmail address and password, select which labels you want to import, and let Gmail pull everything over — this can take hours or days depending on how much mail you have.
Moving your contacts to a new Gmail account
Your contacts are stored separately from your emails. To move them, sign into your old Gmail account and go to contacts.google.com. Click the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top left, then select Export. Choose All contacts and select Google CSV as the format, then click Export. This downloads a file to your computer.
Now sign into your new Gmail account and go back to contacts.google.com. Click the menu again and select Import. Upload the CSV file you just downloaded. Google will add all your old contacts to your new account within a few minutes.
Moving your calendar to a new Gmail account
If you use Google Calendar, you'll want to move your events too. Sign into your old Gmail account and go to calendar.google.com. On the left side under "My calendars," right-click the calendar you want to move and select Settings. Scroll down to the Export calendar section and click Export. This downloads an .ics file.
Sign into your new Gmail account and go to calendar.google.com. Click the plus sign (+) next to "Other calendars" on the left and select Import & subscribe. Upload the .ics file you downloaded. Your events will appear in your new calendar within a few minutes.
Setting up email forwarding from your old address
Once you've moved your data, you should set up forwarding so any mail that still arrives at your old Gmail address gets sent to your new one. This gives you a grace period while people update your contact information.
Sign into your old Gmail account, click the gear icon, and go to Settings. Select the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab and click Add a forwarding address. Enter your new Gmail address and click Next. Gmail will send a confirmation code to your new address — sign in there, find the confirmation email, and enter the code. Once confirmed, go back to your old account's forwarding settings and check the box next to your new address to turn forwarding on. You can choose to keep or delete the forwarded messages from your old inbox.
What happens to your old Gmail address
Your old Gmail address doesn't disappear — it stays active and continues to receive mail. If you set up forwarding, new messages go to your new address automatically. If you don't set up forwarding, mail just sits in your old inbox unless you check it.
You can keep your old account open indefinitely as a backup, or you can stop using it entirely. Google doesn't automatically delete inactive accounts, though accounts with no activity for two years may eventually be removed. If you want to fully close your old account, go to myaccount.google.com, click Data & privacy, scroll to Your data & privacy options, and select Delete your Google Account. This is permanent and will delete all emails, contacts, and calendar events in that account.
Telling your contacts about your new address
Email forwarding buys you time, but it's not permanent. Send a message to your important contacts letting them know your new Gmail address. Include a note that you'll be forwarding mail from your old address for a while, but they should update their records.
For work or professional contacts, consider sending the announcement a few weeks before you stop checking your old account. For personal contacts, a straightforward email or text message works fine. If you use your Gmail address for online accounts (banking, shopping, social media), update those services with your new address so password resets and notifications go to the right place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Gmail address without creating a new account?
No. Gmail does not allow you to rename an existing address. You must create a new Gmail account with the address you want, then move your data over. The old address will still exist, but you'll be using the new one going forward.
Will my old emails disappear if I create a new account?
No, they stay in your old account. When you import them to your new account using IMAP, you're copying them, not moving them. Your old account keeps everything unless you manually delete it or close the account entirely.
How long does it take to move emails to a new Gmail account?
It depends on how many emails you have. Small accounts (a few hundred emails) usually finish in an hour or two. Large accounts with thousands of emails can take a full day or more. Gmail will show you the progress in your new account's settings.
What if someone sends mail to my old Gmail address after I switch?
If you set up forwarding, it automatically goes to your new address. If you didn't set up forwarding, it stays in your old inbox. You can check your old account anytime, or you can set up forwarding later if you realize you need it.
Do I need to update my password when I change my Gmail address?
No, your password stays the same for each account. Your old account keeps its password, and your new account has whatever password you set when you created it. You can change either password anytime in account settings.