Where to find your email settings
Most websites and apps store your email address in account settings, not in your profile or password page. The location varies by service, but the pattern is usually the same: look for a gear icon, a menu labeled "Settings" or "Account", or your name in the top corner.
Once you open settings, search for a section called "Email", "Contact Information", "Personal Details", or "Account Information". Some services bury it under "Privacy" or "Security". If you cannot find it after checking the main menu, try searching the settings page itself — most have a search box at the top.
The reason email settings are separate from your password is that changing your email is a sensitive action. Your email is how the service contacts you and how you recover your account if you forget your password. Because of this, most services require you to verify the change before it takes effect.
Key Takeaways
- Email settings are usually in a "Settings" or "Account" menu, not in your profile or password section.
- Most services require you to verify your new email address by clicking a link sent to that address before the change is final.
- Keep your old email address active during the change process, because the verification link goes there first.
- If you no longer have access to your old email, contact the service's support team before attempting to change it.
- Some services let you add a backup email address without removing your current one, which is safer than switching directly.
The verification step that confirms the change
After you enter your new email address and click "Save" or "Update", the service sends a verification link to that new address. You must click that link within a set time — usually 24 to 48 hours — to confirm you own the address. Until you do, your old email remains active.
This step protects you. If someone else entered a fake email address, they would not be able to click the link, and your account would stay unchanged. Check the inbox of your new email address right away, including the spam folder, because verification emails sometimes land there by mistake.
Once you click the link, the change is complete. Your old email address is no longer connected to the account. Any future password resets, notifications, or account recovery will use your new address instead.
Adding a backup email before you switch
Many services let you add a second email address to your account without removing the first one. This is the safest approach if you are switching email providers or unsure whether you will keep your old address.
Look for an option that says "Add email", "Add another email", or "Backup email" in your email settings. Add your new address and verify it the same way you would if you were switching. Once both addresses are verified and active, you can then remove the old one if you choose.
This two-step process gives you time to make sure the new address works and that you can receive messages there. It also means you have a recovery option if something goes wrong during the switch.
What happens to your old email address
Once you change your email, the old address is completely disconnected from your account. The service will not send anything to it anymore. If someone else later creates an account with that old email address, they will not have any access to your account — the two are no longer linked.
This is why it is safe to change your email even if you are closing that email account. However, if you plan to keep the old email active, there is no harm in leaving it as a backup for a while longer, especially if the service allows multiple addresses.
If you cannot access your old email anymore
If your old email account is closed, hacked, or you straightforward cannot log in, you cannot complete the normal verification process. In this case, contact the service's support team directly. Explain that you need to change your email but cannot access the old one.
Support will ask you to prove you own the account — usually by answering security questions, providing a phone number on file, or verifying a recent payment method. Once they confirm your identity, they can change your email without requiring the verification link.
This process takes longer than the self-service route, sometimes several days, but it is the only way forward if your old email is gone. Start this conversation as soon as you realize you have lost access, because the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to prove you own the account.
Common places email settings hide
Different services organize their settings differently. Gmail and Google services put email options under "Personal info" in the main settings menu. Facebook and Instagram hide it under "Settings and Privacy", then "Settings", then "Personal Information". Microsoft accounts use "Your info" at the top of the account page.
Amazon stores email in "Login and security" under "Account". Twitter (now X) puts it in "Account", then "Account information". LinkedIn uses "Me", then "View profile", then the edit icon next to your email. If you cannot find it in the obvious places, try the search function within settings or look for a "Contact information" section.
When in doubt, search the service's help center for "change email" or "update email address". Most services have a direct link to the right page.
Why some services make this harder than others
Services that handle money — banks, payment apps, investment platforms — often require extra steps to change your email. They may ask you to verify your identity through a phone call, text message, or security code sent to a registered phone number. This is not a mistake or a delay; it is a security measure to prevent someone from hijacking your account and redirecting your money.
Work accounts, school accounts, and accounts tied to government services may not let you change your email at all. Instead, an administrator has to do it for you. If you work for a company or attend a school, contact your IT department or help desk rather than trying to change it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not receive the verification email?
Check your spam or junk folder first — verification emails are often filtered there. If it is not there, wait a few minutes and refresh your inbox. If nothing arrives after 15 minutes, go back to your account settings and request a new verification email. Most services let you resend it multiple times. If you still do not receive it, contact support and provide the email address you were trying to add.
Can I change my email back to the old one if I made a mistake?
Yes. Go back to your email settings and follow the same process to change it again. You will need to verify the old email address the same way you verified the new one. This usually takes just a few minutes.
Will changing my email affect my password?
No. Your password stays the same. You log in the same way you always have. The only thing that changes is where the service sends notifications and password reset links.
What if the service says my new email is already in use?
That email address is connected to another account on that service. You cannot use the same email for two accounts. Either use a different email address, or contact support if you believe the other account is yours and you cannot access it.
Do I need to tell anyone else about my new email?
No. The service will use your new email for all future contact. However, if you have shared your email address with friends, family, or colleagues for other purposes, you should tell them separately. Changing your email on one service does not change it anywhere else.