Google is rolling out a feature that allow users to change their Gmail address

Google has announced a Christmas gift for Gmail users still stuck with embarrassing email addresses from high school.

In a long-requested change, account holders will now be able to replace their existing @gmail.com address with a new one while preserving all data and services. Google’s account help page.

However, the updated guidance on email address changes appears only on the Hindi version of Google’s support page, suggesting that distribution may begin in India or Hindi-speaking markets.

The support page said that the feature is being gradually rolled out to all users, suggesting that global adoption is approaching but may take some time.

The English page retains the previous guidance stating that @gmail.com addresses “generally cannot be modified.” Google It did not immediately respond to CNBC’s question about which regions would get the feature first.

Under the new policy, users who change their addresses will automatically keep their original address as an alias. Emails sent to the old address will continue to arrive in the inbox, and the original address will continue to be used to sign in to Google services such as Drive, Maps, and YouTube.

Previously, users looking for a new Gmail address had to create a new account and manually transfer their data, going through a complex and tedious process that could disrupt integration with third-party applications.

Google said existing data, including photos, messages and emails, will remain unchanged after the address update. According to the Google translation of the support page in Hindi, users can reuse their old Google Account email address at any time.

However, accounts that change their Gmail address will not be able to create a new Gmail address or delete the newly selected address for the next 12 months.

Google has not issued an official press release or announcement about the change, which was reportedly first discovered in user forums and tech communities.