In a move long awaited by Gmail users worldwide, Google is finally introducing a feature that allows people to change their email addresses without losing years of digital history.

The tech giant has begun rolling out a groundbreaking update that permits users to modify their @gmail.com addresses while retaining all existing emails, files, photos, and connected services like YouTube and Google Drive, as first reported by The New York Times.

Currently visible only on Gmail's Hindi-language support page, the feature represents a significant shift from previous restrictions. For over two decades, users could adjust their username but were locked into their original email address, a limitation that sparked widespread frustration among Google's massive user base.

The new system operates with carefully designed parameters. When users change their email address, their old Gmail address automatically becomes an alias that continues receiving emails. This means individuals can seamlessly transition to a new address while maintaining uninterrupted access to their digital ecosystem.

Google has implemented specific guardrails to prevent potential abuse. Users are limited to changing their address once every 12 months and can create a maximum of three new addresses over their lifetime, resulting in a total of four Gmail addresses. The change appears exclusively applicable to standard @gmail.com addresses, excluding accounts associated with schools or employers.

Importantly, users can sign into Google services using either their old or new email address, with all existing account data remaining intact. This flexibility ensures minimal disruption to users' digital lives while providing the long-requested ability to refresh their online identity.

As Google gradually expands this feature to its global user base, many will welcome the opportunity to finally retire outdated or unprofessional email addresses that have followed them since their digital beginnings.