Google is rolling out a function that enable customers to vary their Gmail handle

Google simply unveiled a Christmas reward for Gmail customers who’re nonetheless caught with their embarrassing e mail addresses from highschool.

In a long-requested change, account holders can now exchange their present @gmail.com handle with a brand new one whereas retaining all knowledge and providers, in response to an replace to Google’s account assist web page.

Nonetheless, the up to date steering on e mail handle adjustments seems solely within the Hindi model of Google’s help web page, suggesting the rollout could start in India or Hindi-speaking markets.

The help web page mentioned the function is steadily rolling out to all customers, suggesting full international adoption is coming, however might take a while.

The English-language web page retains prior steering stating that @gmail.com addresses “normally can’t be modified.” Google didn’t instantly reply to CNBC’s inquiry about which areas could be the primary to obtain the function. 

Underneath the brand new coverage, customers who change their handle will robotically hold their unique handle as an alias. Emails despatched to the previous handle will proceed to reach within the inbox, and the unique handle will nonetheless work for signing in to Google providers like Drive, Maps and YouTube. 

Beforehand, customers looking for a brand new Gmail handle needed to create a brand new account and switch their knowledge manually by means of an advanced and fraught course of that might disrupt integrations with third-party apps.

Google mentioned present knowledge, together with photographs, messages and emails would stay unchanged after an handle replace. Customers may reuse the previous Google account e mail handle at any time, in response to a Google translation of the help web page in Hindi.

Nonetheless, accounts that change their Gmail handle will not be capable of create one other new Gmail handle for the subsequent 12 months and can’t delete the brand new chosen handle. 

Google has not issued a proper press launch or announcement concerning the change, which was reportedly first found inside person boards and tech communities.