You cannot change the address itself, but you can add a new one and switch to it
Gmail does not let you edit the address you signed up with — the one that appears before @gmail.com. Once created, that address is permanent. What you can do instead is add a new Gmail address to your account, set it as your primary sending address, and gradually transition your contacts to the new one. If you want a completely different email address, you will need to create a separate Gmail account.
The difference matters because changing your primary address affects how people see your emails going forward, but your old address still receives mail. You can keep both active, forward messages between them, or retire the old one slowly as people update their contact lists.
Key Takeaways
- Gmail addresses cannot be edited after creation, but you can add a new Gmail address and set it as your primary sending address within the same account.
- Adding a new address takes about five minutes and requires access to a recovery email or phone number linked to your account.
- Your old address continues to receive mail even after you switch to a new primary address, so you can transition contacts gradually.
- If you want a completely different email provider or a Gmail address with a different username, you will need to create a separate account.
- Forwarding rules let you automatically send messages from your old address to your new one so you do not miss anything during the switch.
Adding a new Gmail address to your account
Open Gmail and click the gear icon in the top right corner, then select "See all settings." Go to the "Accounts and Import" tab. Under "Send mail as," click "Add another email address." A popup window will appear asking for a name and the new email address you want to add.
Type the new Gmail address you want to use — it must be a Gmail address you have not yet created. Enter your name as you want it to appear when you send emails. Click "Next Step." Gmail will send a confirmation code to the recovery email or phone number on file for your account. Enter that code in the popup to verify ownership. Once confirmed, the new address is added to your account and ready to use.
Setting the new address as your primary
After adding the new address, go back to "Accounts and Import" settings. Under "Send mail as," you will see both addresses listed. Find your new address and click "make default" next to it. From that moment on, when you compose a new email, your new address will be the one shown in the "From" field by default.
You can still send from your old address if you need to — just click the "From" dropdown when composing an email and select the old address. This is useful if you are still expecting replies to the old address or want to maintain separate conversations.
What happens to your old address
Your original Gmail address does not disappear or stop working. It continues to receive all incoming mail, and you can still read and reply to messages sent to it. The only thing that changes is what address appears in the "From" field when you send new emails — unless you manually switch back to the old address for that specific message.
This means you have time to notify your contacts about the change without losing access to anything. You can set up forwarding rules so messages to your old address automatically appear in your inbox, or you can check both addresses separately depending on your workflow.
Using forwarding to manage both addresses
If you want messages sent to your old address to automatically appear alongside your new mail, set up a forwarding rule. In Gmail settings, go to "Forwarding and POP/IMAP" and click "Add a forwarding address." Enter your new Gmail address. Gmail will send a confirmation code to that address — open the email and click the confirmation link.
Once confirmed, go back to settings and choose whether to "Forward all mail and delete it from Gmail" or "Keep Gmail's copy in the inbox." The first option moves everything to your new address; the second keeps a copy in both places. You can also use filters to automatically label or archive messages from your old address so they do not clutter your main inbox.
Creating a completely separate Gmail account instead
If you want a Gmail address with a different username entirely — not just adding a second address to your existing account — you will need to create a new Gmail account. Go to accounts.google.com and click "Create account." Follow the signup process to choose a new Gmail address and set a password.
This new account is separate from your current one, so you will need to log out and log back in to switch between them. You cannot access your old emails from the new account unless you set up forwarding or manually transfer them. Use this approach only if you want a completely fresh start or need an address with a different username that is not available as a Gmail alias.
Notifying your contacts about the change
Once your new address is set as primary, send an email to your important contacts letting them know about the change. Include both your old and new addresses so people can update their contact lists. You do not need to do this all at once — you can transition gradually as you correspond with different people.
For work or formal contacts, send a dedicated notification email. For casual contacts, you can simply start signing emails with your new address and let them notice over time. Keep your old address active for at least a few months so you do not miss any mail from people who have not updated their records yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the part of my Gmail address before the @ symbol?
No. The username part of your Gmail address is permanent and cannot be changed. You can only add a new Gmail address to your account and set it as primary. If you need a completely different username, you must create a new Gmail account.
What if someone sends an email to my old address after I switch?
It will still arrive in your inbox. Your old address remains active and receives mail indefinitely. You can read and reply to messages sent to it, or set up forwarding to automatically send them to your new address.
Do I lose my emails if I add a new primary address?
No. All your existing emails stay in your account regardless of which address is set as primary. Changing the primary address only affects which address appears in the "From" field on new emails you send.
Can I have multiple Gmail addresses in one account?
Yes. You can add up to four additional Gmail addresses to a single account and switch between them when sending emails. Only one can be set as the default, but you can manually select a different address from the "From" dropdown when composing.
How long does it take to add a new address?
About five minutes. You enter the new address, receive a confirmation code at your recovery email or phone, and verify it. Once confirmed, the address is immediately ready to use.