Where to find the email change option on Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple

The steps to change your email address depend on which service you use. Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple Mail all let you change the address tied to your account, but the path is different for each one. You do not need to create a new account — you can keep your existing one and straightforward update the email address attached to it.

On Gmail, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Personal info" in the left menu, find "Email" near the top, and click the pencil icon to edit it. You will be asked to confirm your current password before the change takes effect. On Outlook, sign in at account.microsoft.com, select "Your info" on the left, find "Email addresses," and click "Add email" or "Make primary" depending on whether you want to add a new address or switch which one is your main one. For Yahoo, log in at account.yahoo.com, click "Account info," select "Email and phone," and choose "Change email address." Apple users go to appleid.apple.com, click "Edit" next to "Apple ID," and change the email there.

Key Takeaways

  • Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple all let you change your email address without losing your account history, contacts, or files.
  • You will need to confirm your current password or answer security questions before the change is processed.
  • Some services let you keep your old email as a recovery address, which helps you regain access if you forget your password later.
  • After you change your email, update it on any websites where you use that account to log in — banking sites, social media, work systems, and shopping accounts.
  • The change usually takes effect when ready, but some services may send a confirmation email to both your old and new address.

Why you might need to confirm your identity before changing your email

All major email services require you to prove you own the account before letting you change the email address. This is a security step — it prevents someone else from taking over your account by changing the email to one they control. You will typically be asked to enter your password, or if you have set up two-factor authentication, to confirm a code sent to your phone or a backup email.

If you have forgotten your password, you can use the "Forgot password?" link on the login page. The service will send a reset link to your current email address or ask you to answer security questions you set up when you created the account. Once you have reset your password, you can then proceed to change your email address.

What happens to your old email address after you change it

When you change your email address on Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or Apple, your old address does not disappear when ready. Most services let you keep your old email as a recovery address for a period of time — usually 30 days. This means if you forget your password, you can still use your old email to reset it. After that window closes, the old address is released and someone else may be able to sign up for it.

If you want to keep your old email active for receiving messages, do not change it — instead, set up email forwarding. Most services have a forwarding option that automatically sends all mail from your old address to your new one. This is useful if you have given your old email to friends, family, or businesses and do not want to lose those messages.

Updating your email on websites and apps that use your account

Changing your email address on Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or Apple does not automatically update it everywhere you use that account. You will need to go into each website or app where you log in with that email and update it there. This includes banking websites, social media accounts, shopping sites, work systems, and any subscription services.

Start with the most important ones: your bank, email recovery contacts, and any accounts tied to money or identity. Then work through social media, shopping, and entertainment accounts. Many sites let you update your email in the account settings or profile section. If you cannot find where to change it, look for a "Contact info," "Email," or "Account settings" page. Some older websites may require you to contact customer service directly to change the email on file.

How to set up email forwarding if you want to keep your old address active

Email forwarding sends all messages that arrive at your old address to your new one automatically. On Gmail, go to Settings, click "Forwarding and POP/IMAP," and enter your new email address. Gmail will send a confirmation email to your new address — click the link in that email to complete the setup. On Outlook, go to Settings, select "Mail," find "Forwarding," and enter your new address. Yahoo users go to Account info, select "Email and phone," find "Forwarding," and add the new address. Apple does not offer forwarding directly, but you can set up forwarding through your email client or contact Apple Support for other options.

Forwarding is useful if you have given your old email to many people or businesses and do not want to lose messages. Keep in mind that forwarding does not delete messages from your old account — they stay there unless you delete them manually. If you want to stop forwarding later, you can turn it off in the same settings menu.

What to do if you cannot access your account to change the email

If you have forgotten your password or lost access to your account, you will need to recover it before you can change the email. Each service has a recovery process. On Gmail, go to the login page, click "Forgot password?", and follow the steps to reset it using your recovery email or phone number. On Outlook, click "Can't access your account?" and use your recovery email or phone. Yahoo and Apple have similar recovery flows on their login pages.

If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone number, the process becomes harder. You may be asked to answer security questions, provide a photo ID, or contact customer service. Keep this in mind for the future — always make sure your recovery email and phone number are current and that you have access to them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my emails and contacts if I change my email address?

No. Changing your email address does not delete any of your messages, contacts, or files. Everything stays in your account. Only the email address used to log in and receive new messages changes.

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

Yes, but only if no one else has claimed it. If you change your email and then want to switch back within 30 days, you can usually do so. After 30 days, your old address may be available for someone else to sign up for, and you would not be able to reclaim it.

What if a website says my new email is already in use?

This usually means you have already created an account with that email on that website. Try logging in with your new email address, or use the "Forgot password?" option to reset it. If you still cannot access it, contact the website's customer service.

Do I need to change my email on my phone or tablet after I change it?

Yes. If you use the Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or Apple Mail app on your phone, you will need to remove the old email account and add the new one. Go to your phone's settings, find the email account, and update it there. You may need to enter your password again.

How long does it take for the email change to take effect?

The change usually takes effect when ready. However, some services may send confirmation emails to both your old and new address, and it can take a few minutes for those to arrive. If you do not see a confirmation email within 10 minutes, check your spam folder.