Embarrassed by your old Gmail ID? You may finally fix it

The move gives users a chance to finally part ways with awkward or outdated email IDs created during their school or college days.

In a significant update, Google will now allow account holders to replace their existing @gmail.com address with a new one, while retaining all associated data, emails, and services. The change was reflected in an update to Google’s account help page, CNBC reported.

Interestingly, details of the feature have so far appeared only on the Hindi version of Google’s support page, suggesting that the option may be rolled out initially in India or other Hindi-speaking regions.

“The email address associated with your Google Account is the address you use to sign in to Google services. This email address helps you and others identify your account,” Google explained, according to 9to5Google. “If you’d like, you can change your Google Account email address that ends in gmail.com to a new email address that ends in gmail.com.”

With this update, users will be able to change their @gmail.com address by selecting a new username, while keeping their existing account intact, the report added.

However, there are certain limitations. Users who change their email address will not be able to create another Gmail account for 12 months, and the newly chosen address cannot be deleted, according to reports.

So far, Google has not issued any formal press release regarding the change.