Where to find the email change option on most accounts

The email address tied to your account lives in your account settings, not in your inbox. On most websites and apps, you'll find this in a menu labeled "Account," "Settings," "Profile," or "Preferences." Look for a gear icon or your name in the top right corner — that's usually the entry point.

Once you're in settings, search for a section called "Email," "Contact Information," "Personal Information," or "Account Details." The exact name varies by service, but the location is almost always the same: a dedicated area where you can see and change the email address the company has on file for you.

Before you change anything, have your new email address ready and make sure you can access it. Most services will send a confirmation link to the new address, and you'll need to click it to complete the change. If you can't access the new email right away, the change won't go through.

Key Takeaways

  • Your email address is stored in account settings under a section labeled "Email," "Contact Information," or "Personal Information," usually accessible from a menu in the top right corner.
  • Most services send a confirmation link to your new email address, and you must click it within a set time (usually 24 to 48 hours) to complete the change.
  • Keep your old email address active for at least a few days after the change so you can receive password reset links if something goes wrong.
  • If you're changing email on accounts linked to payment methods or subscriptions, update those connections separately to avoid service interruptions.
  • Write down your new email address and password in a safe place before making changes, in case you need to recover your account later.

Steps to change email on Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo

Gmail: Sign in to your Google Account. Click your profile picture in the top right, then select "Manage your Google Account." Go to the "Personal info" tab. Under "Email," click "Email address." Enter your new email, then click "Change email address." Google will send a confirmation code to your new email — enter it to finish. Your Gmail address itself (the one ending in @gmail.com) cannot be changed, but you can add a recovery email address to your account for password resets.

Outlook (Hotmail): Sign in to your Microsoft account. Click your name or profile picture, then select "View account" or "Manage your Microsoft account." Go to "Security" or "Account info." Under "Email & phone," click "Manage how you sign in to Microsoft." You can add a new email address here and set it as your primary sign-in email. Microsoft will send a verification code to confirm the change.

Yahoo: Sign in to your Yahoo account. Click your name in the top right, then select "Account info." Go to "Account security." Under "Email address," click "Change." Enter your new email address. Yahoo will send a verification code to your current email — enter it, then verify the new address. The process takes a few minutes.

What happens to your old email address after you change it

Your old email address does not automatically disappear or get deleted. Instead, the service stops using it as your primary contact email. However, you should keep the old account active for at least three to seven days after the change, because many services send important confirmation messages there during the transition.

If you have a Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo account, the old email address remains yours — you can still log in with it, and it will continue to receive mail. Other services may release the old address back into circulation after a set period (often 30 to 90 days), which means someone else could eventually sign up with it. If you want to prevent that, you can delete the old account entirely, but only after you're certain the new email is working and all your recovery options are updated.

Check any services that send you important messages — bank statements, subscription confirmations, password resets — and make sure they have your new email on file. Some services pull the email from your account automatically after you change it; others require you to update it separately in their system.

Updating linked accounts and payment methods

If your email is connected to payment methods, subscriptions, or other linked accounts, changing your primary email does not automatically update those connections. You'll need to go into each service separately and update the email address they have on file.

For subscriptions (streaming services, software, newsletters), log into each account and find the billing or account settings section. Update the email address there so renewal notices and receipts go to your new address. For payment methods like PayPal, Stripe, or Apple Pay, update the email in your payment account settings as well.

If you use your email to sign in to other apps or services through a "Sign in with Google" or "Sign in with Apple" button, those connections usually update automatically once you change your primary email. However, check the settings on those apps to be sure — some may still have the old email cached and need a manual refresh.

If you can't access your new email address to confirm the change

If you entered a new email address but can't access it to click the confirmation link, the change will not complete. Most services hold the pending change for 24 to 48 hours before canceling it automatically. If that happens, you can start the process again with an email address you can actually access.

If you're locked out of both your old and new email addresses, you'll need to use your account recovery options. Most services let you verify your identity using a phone number, a recovery email address you set up earlier, or security questions. Go to the account login page, click "Can't access your account" or "Forgot password," and follow the recovery steps. This process can take several hours to several days depending on the service.

Changing email on social media and other common services

Facebook: Click the downward arrow in the top right corner, then select "Settings & privacy" > "Settings." Go to "Personal information" > "Email." Click "Edit," enter your new email, and click "Save changes." Facebook will send a confirmation link to the new address.

Instagram: Tap your profile picture in the bottom right. Go to "Settings and privacy" > "Account information" > "Email." Enter your new email and tap "Next." Instagram will send a confirmation code to your new email.

Twitter/X: Click "More" (three dots) in the left sidebar, then select "Settings and privacy" > "Your account" > "Account information." Click "Email address," enter your new email, and click "Save." You'll receive a confirmation email.

LinkedIn: Click your profile picture in the top right, then select "Settings and privacy" > "Sign in & security." Under "Email addresses," click "Change" next to your primary email. Enter your new email and click "Change email." LinkedIn will send a confirmation link.

Amazon: Go to "Account & Lists" in the top right, then select "Your Account." Click "Login & security." Under "Email address," click "Edit." Enter your new email and click "Save changes." Amazon will send a confirmation code.

Protecting your account during and after the change

While you're changing your email, make sure no one else has access to either your old or new email account. If someone has your password, they can intercept the confirmation link and lock you out. Change your account password before you change your email address, and use a strong password that's different from passwords on other accounts.

After the change is complete, review your account's login history and connected devices if the service offers that option. Most email providers and major accounts show you where and when your account was accessed. If you see logins from places you don't recognize, change your password again and remove those devices from your account.

If you use two-factor authentication (a code sent to your phone or generated by an app), make sure it's still working after you change your email. Some services update two-factor settings automatically; others require you to re-enable them. Test it by logging out and logging back in to confirm the code arrives correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Gmail address to a different @gmail.com address?

No. Your Gmail address (the part before @gmail.com) is permanent and cannot be changed. However, you can add a recovery email address to your Google Account, which you can use to sign in and receive important notifications. You can also create a new Gmail account with a different address if you need one.

What if I change my email but forget to update my password recovery options?

If you get locked out of your account later, you'll need to use other recovery methods like a phone number or security questions. Before you change your email, go into your account settings and make sure you have at least one backup recovery option set up — usually a phone number or a secondary email address.

How long does it take for the email change to go through?

Most services complete the change within minutes of you clicking the confirmation link. However, it can take a few hours for all the company's systems to update, so you might still receive some messages at your old address for a short time. Wait at least 24 hours before assuming the change didn't work.

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

You don't have to, but it's a good idea. Changing your password at the same time adds an extra layer of security and ensures that if someone else has your old credentials, they can't use them to access your account with the new email address.

What happens to emails I received at my old address?

Emails already in your inbox stay there — changing your email address does not delete your message history. However, new emails sent to your old address will not automatically forward to your new one. If you need to keep receiving mail at the old address, set up forwarding in your email provider's settings, or ask senders to update their records.