![\"Google](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774971970_695_0x0.jpg\")
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Google confirms major Gmail account update.<\/p>\n
CFOTO\/Future Publishing via Getty Images<\/p>\n
It has taken 20 years to arrive, but at long last, Google has started rolling out a major ID update for Gmail users. As of March 31, Google users in the U.S. will be able to change Gmail email address<\/a> without opening a new account. This means you can keep your original Gmail address but change it to a new primary address, while the original becomes an alias and all incoming emails continue to arrive. Yes, you will no longer be tied to that potentially embarrassing or inappropriate email address. And that\u2019s a good thing. It can also be a bad thing, as security experts have been warning: attackers are using Gmail address functionality as bait in phishing attacks designed to take over your Google account<\/a> and your Gmail inbox along with it. Here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n ForbesGoogle Confirms High-Risk Update For 3.5 Billion Chrome UsersBy Davey Winder<\/a>Gmail Address Changes Bring New Risk Of Hack Attacks<\/p>\n Your Google account holds the key to your Gmail inbox and all the messages and data contained within. No wonder, then, that it\u2019s such a big deal when that account gets hacked, as FBI Director Patel is currently finding out after an Iran-based hacking group<\/a> compromised his personal Gmail account. Anything that leaves your account open to attack must be understood for you to be protected against it. This is why awareness of an important new Gmail update that introduces primary email addresses for billions of users is so critical. Knowing how to change your Gmail address is key to avoiding being tricked into leaving your account open to a hacker takeover.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you choose,\u201d Google has confirmed<\/a>, \u201cyou can change your Google Account email that ends in gmail.com to a new address that ends in gmail.com.\u201d While the update has not yet rolled out globally, it has now arrived in the U.S., although the security warnings apply to every user. In fact, it could be argued that those who are yet to gain the ability to change address are at more risk from attack as they are more likely to be looking for a way to achieve it.<\/p>\n You can check, and it\u2019s the only official method, to see if you can change your address yet as follows:<\/p>\n Go to your Google account, select Personal Info | Email | Google Account email, and you\u2019ll see a Change Google Account email option. If there is no such option, the update has not yet arrived in your region. <\/p>\n ForbesYour Gmail Account Will Be Deleted If You Ignore This EmailBy Davey Winder<\/a>Protecting Your Gmail Account From Address Change Hackers<\/p>\n Where does the security risk enter the equation? Simple: attackers are sending carefully-crafted, often using AI, emails to Gmail users, from seemingly legitimate Google addresses, that claim you can now change your address and, you guessed it, include a link that needs to be clicked to take you to the security checks and option to do so. The security option isn\u2019t checking the validity of your ID, it is stealing your credentials and using them in an attempt to hack your Google account. <\/p>\n