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 Details."

The exact path varies by service. Gmail takes you through your Google Account settings (myaccount.google.com). Facebook and Instagram both hide it under Settings and Privacy. Microsoft Outlook uses the "Your Info" section of your Microsoft account. Amazon puts it under "Login & Security." If you cannot find it after checking the main settings menu, search the help center for "[Service name] change email address" — most services have a direct link in their documentation.

Before you start, have your new email address ready and make sure you can access it. You will need to verify the new address by clicking a link or entering a code that the service sends to it.

Key Takeaways

  • Email change options are always in account settings, usually under a profile menu in the top right corner of the screen.
  • You must be able to access your new email address during the change process because the service will send a verification code or link to it.
  • Most services ask you to confirm your current password before allowing the change, so have that ready.
  • After you change your email, update it anywhere else you have used it — password managers, two-factor authentication apps, and other linked accounts.
  • If you lose access to your old email before completing the change, you may need to use account recovery options like a phone number or backup codes.

The step-by-step process for major services

Gmail and Google Account: Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Personal info" on the left, then "Email" in the main section. Click the pencil icon next to your email address. Enter your new email, click "Next," and Google will send a verification code to that address. Enter the code to confirm. Your old Gmail address remains your username for signing in, but mail now goes to the new address.

Microsoft Outlook and Hotmail: Sign in at account.microsoft.com, click "Your info," then "Manage your Microsoft account." Under "Email & accounts," click "Add email" if you want a secondary address, or click the three dots next to your current email to change it. Microsoft will send a verification code to your new address. Enter it to complete the change.

Facebook: Click the down arrow in the top right, select "Settings & Privacy," then "Settings." On the left, click "Personal Information." Under "Email," click the pencil icon, enter your new email, and click "Save Changes." Facebook sends a confirmation link to the new address — click it within 24 hours.

Instagram: Tap your profile picture at the bottom right, tap the menu icon (three lines), then "Settings and privacy." Tap "Account information," then "Email." Enter your new email and tap "Next." Instagram sends a confirmation code to the new address. Enter it to finish.

Amazon: Sign in, hover over "Account & Lists" in the top right, click "Account." Under "Login & Security," click "Edit" next to your email address. Enter your new email and your password, then click "Continue." Amazon sends a verification code to the new address.

What to do after you change your email

Changing your email on one service does not automatically update it everywhere. Search through any password managers you use — services like 1Password, LastPass, or Bitwarden store your email address with your login credentials. Update the email there so you can sign in correctly next time.

Check any two-factor authentication apps you use, such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Authy. These apps do not store your email, but if you ever need to recover your account or move the app to a new phone, you will need the current email address on file. Update it in the account settings of each service that uses two-factor authentication.

If you have linked your email to other accounts — for example, using your Google account to sign into Spotify or your Facebook account to sign into other apps — those links still work. However, if those services ever send you a password reset email, it will go to your new address, so there is no action needed there.

Update your email in any billing or subscription services where you receive invoices or receipts. This includes streaming services, software subscriptions, online shopping accounts, and any service that charges you regularly. Most of these follow the same settings path as the major services above.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is typing your new email address incorrectly. Double-check it letter by letter before you click confirm. If you make a typo, the verification code will go to the wrong address and you will not be able to complete the change. If this happens, most services let you start over and try again with a different email address.

Another mistake is losing access to your old email before you finish changing it. If your old email account gets hacked or you forget the password, you may not be able to verify the change. To avoid this, change your email while you still have full access to both your old and new addresses. If you have already lost access to your old email, use the account recovery process — most services let you verify your identity using a phone number, a backup email, or security questions.

Do not assume the change is complete until you receive a confirmation message. Some services send a final email to your new address saying "Your email has been changed." If you do not see this, go back to settings and check whether the change actually saved. Occasionally the page times out or the browser closes before the change is recorded.

If you cannot access your new email address during the change

You must be able to receive emails at your new address to complete the change. If you are switching to a new email provider and have not set it up yet, create the account first and make sure you can sign in. Then come back to change your email on the service you are updating.

If your new email is through your workplace or school, make sure your IT department has activated it and that you can access it from a web browser. Some institutional email systems take a few hours to set up after creation. If the service keeps saying the verification code is invalid, wait 15 minutes and try again — sometimes the email takes a moment to arrive.

If you are changing to an email address you have not used in years and cannot remember the password, use the password recovery option on that email provider before you attempt to change your email on other services. You need to be able to sign in to receive the verification code.

Changing your email when you have two-factor authentication enabled

Two-factor authentication makes the process slightly longer but not harder. When you try to change your email, the service will ask you to enter a code from your authenticator app or a code sent to your phone. This is a security step to make sure you are really the account owner. Enter the code, then proceed with the email change as normal.

If you have lost access to your authenticator app or phone, you will need to use a backup code instead. Most services give you a set of backup codes when you first set up two-factor authentication — these are usually printed or saved in a text file. If you have one, enter it when the service asks for your second factor. If you do not have a backup code, you will need to use account recovery, which typically involves verifying your identity through a phone number or security questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my old emails if I change my email address?

No. Your old emails stay in your account. When you change your email address, you are only changing the address people use to contact you going forward. All your existing messages, files, and account history remain exactly as they were.

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

Yes. You can change your email address as many times as you want. However, if you delete or abandon your old email account with the service, you may not be able to use it again on that service for a while — some platforms have a waiting period before you can reuse an old address.

What if I do not receive the verification code?

Check your spam or junk folder first — verification emails sometimes get filtered there. If it is not there, wait a few minutes and request a new code. If you still do not receive it, make sure you typed your new email address correctly in the settings. If the address is correct but you still cannot receive mail there, you may have a problem with that email account itself — try signing into it directly to confirm it works.

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

No, changing your email does not affect your password. Your password stays the same and you will use it to sign in next time. However, if you are changing your email because your account was compromised, you should change your password at the same time for security.

Will websites I have signed up for know about my new email?

No. If you used your email to sign up for newsletters, shopping sites, or other services, those services still have your old email address. You will need to update your email on each of those sites individually if you want them to contact you at your new address. Check your email settings on any service where you receive regular messages.