Where to find the email change option

The steps to change your email address depend on which service you use. Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple Mail all store the setting in different places, but they all put it in account settings rather than in the email app itself. You cannot change your email address from within the Mail app on your phone or computer — you have to go to the website or web version and log in to your account.

For most services, the email address change option sits under "Account" or "Security" in settings. Some services call it "Change email" or "Update email address". A few require you to add a new email first, then set it as primary, then remove the old one. The process takes five to ten minutes once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • You must change your email address through the website or web version of your account, not through a mobile app.
  • Gmail requires you to add a new email address as a recovery email first, then change your primary address in the Google Account settings.
  • Outlook and Yahoo let you add a new email and set it as your main address directly from Account Settings.
  • You will need to verify the new email address by clicking a link or entering a code before the change takes effect.
  • After you change your email, update your password and check that two-factor authentication is still working on the new address.

Changing your email in Gmail

Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in with your current Gmail address. Click "Personal info" on the left side. Under "Email" you will see your current Gmail address. Click on it.

Gmail does not let you change the address itself — the part before @gmail.com is permanent. What you can change is the recovery email address linked to your account. If you want to use a different Gmail address entirely, you need to create a new Gmail account and transfer your data, or use Gmail's forwarding feature to send mail from your old address to your new one. If you want to change the recovery email (the backup address Google uses to help you regain access), click "Recovery email" and enter a new one, then verify it by clicking the link Google sends.

Changing your email in Outlook or Microsoft

Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in. Click "Your info" at the top. Under "Account aliases" you will see your current email address. Click "Add email" to add a new one.

Enter the new email address you want to use. Microsoft will send a verification code to that address — check your inbox and enter the code on the Microsoft website. Once verified, click the three dots next to the new address and select "Make primary". Your new email is now your main address. You can keep the old one as an alias (so mail sent to it still arrives) or remove it entirely by clicking the three dots again and selecting "Remove".

Changing your email in Yahoo

Go to login.yahoo.com and sign in. Click your account icon in the top right corner, then select "Account info". Click "Account" on the left side, then "Email address and phone number".

Click "Add email address" and enter the new one you want. Yahoo will send a verification code to that address. Enter the code, then set the new address as primary. Like Outlook, you can keep your old Yahoo address as an alias or delete it. If you delete it, mail sent to the old address will bounce.

Changing your email in Apple ID

Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in. Click "Account" at the top. Under "Account" you will see "Email and phone numbers". Click "Edit".

Click the plus sign to add a new email address. Apple will send a verification code to that address — enter it to confirm. Once verified, click the address you want to make primary, then click "Make primary". You can remove old addresses by clicking the minus sign next to them. Keep at least one email address on file, or you will not be able to sign in.

What happens after you change your email

After you change your email address, log out and log back in using the new address to make sure it works. Check that you can still receive password reset emails and two-factor authentication codes at the new address. If you set up two-factor authentication (also called two-step verification), you may need to update it to use your new email instead of your old one.

If you had the old email address set as a recovery option on other accounts — banking, social media, work email — update those accounts with your new email address. This prevents you from getting locked out if you forget a password. Some services send important notifications to your email address, so check your new inbox for confirmation messages from the services you use most.

If you cannot access the email address you want to change

If you have lost access to your current email account and cannot sign in, you will need to use the account recovery process instead of the settings page. Each service has a different recovery method. Gmail asks for a recovery email or phone number. Outlook asks for a phone number or alternate email. Yahoo and Apple have similar options.

Go to the sign-in page for your service and click "Can't access your account" or "Forgot password". Follow the prompts to verify your identity using a phone number, recovery email, or security questions. Once you regain access, you can change your email address using the steps above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Gmail address to a different Gmail address?

No. The part before @gmail.com cannot be changed. You can change your recovery email address, but if you want a completely different Gmail address, you must create a new account. You can set up forwarding so mail sent to your old address automatically goes to your new one.

What happens to emails sent to my old address after I change it?

This depends on the service. Outlook and Yahoo let you keep the old address as an alias, so mail still arrives. Gmail does not have aliases, so you must set up forwarding. If you delete the old address without forwarding, emails sent to it will bounce.

Do I need to change my password after changing my email?

You do not have to, but it is a good idea. Changing your password ensures that if someone had access to your old email address, they cannot use it to reset your account password. Change it from the Security section of your account settings.

Will changing my email affect my stored passwords or payment methods?

No. Your passwords and payment methods are tied to your account, not to your email address. They will continue to work after you change your email. You may need to update your email address in services that send receipts or notifications, but the payment method itself stays the same.