Here’s something that might surprise you, or maybe not: Gmail made its debut on April 1, 2004. Yes, that’s right—22 years ago. It’s quite possible that the username you set back then has been with you since, possibly selected in your early school days as you embarked on your digital journey. But now, you can change all that. Google is finally allowing you to update your Gmail username to something that feels a bit more appropriate.
A Brief Look at Gmail’s History
You might have noticed that Gmail’s launch date is, well, a bit unusual. It happened on April Fool’s Day, a detail that had many scratching their heads when the service first appeared online. People initially thought it was a joke, especially since it offered a whopping 1 gigabyte of email storage when most competitors only provided a fraction of that. This breakthrough made Gmail an instant favorite, taking over from services like AOL, Yahoo, and Hotmail.
Gmail was a significant milestone for Google, marking the first consumer product that ventured beyond just internet searching. To give you some context, Gmail launched almost a year before Google Maps and followed up with YouTube acquisitions and the Chrome browser a couple of years later. It’s been foundational for Google’s suite of services.
Today, Gmail remains a cornerstone for both users and Google’s business model.
How to Change Your Gmail Username
If you’ve had a cringeworthy Gmail handle for too long, perhaps it’s time for a refresh. Changing your username is relatively straightforward.
For iPhone Users
First, launch the Google app on your device, either Google Search or Google Maps. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner, then select ‘Personal Info’ from the menu. Choose ‘Email’ to proceed.
In the following screen, tap your email address listed there. Scroll down, enter your chosen new handle, and confirm by tapping ‘Change Email’. Just double-check to ensure that you’ve typed it correctly.
For Android Users
Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top section twice. Then, navigate to ‘Personal Information’ and select ‘Email’.
Similar to the iPhone, tap your email address, scroll down, and enter your new preferred handle, confirming your choice afterward.
On a Computer
Just head over to google.com, click on your profile picture in the top right corner, and select ‘Personal Information’ from the left. Again, opt for ‘Email’ and follow the same steps as mentioned for mobile to update your handle.
Proceed with Caution
Google assures users that changing your Gmail username should be a hassle-free process. Your new emails will still be sent to your old address, and any third-party services linked to the old username will remain functional. Notably, your account data, including stored photos and files on Google Drive, won’t be affected. However, you can only change your Gmail username three times total, with a mandatory 12-month gap between changes. So, make it count!
