You can change the address linked to your Gmail account in two places, and they serve different purposes

Your Gmail account holds two separate addresses. The first is your recovery email address — a backup email Gmail uses to help you regain access if you forget your password or someone else tries to take over your account. The second is your display name and associated address — what appears in the "From" line when you send mail. Changing either one takes less than a minute, but you need to know which one you're changing and why, because they do different jobs.

If you've moved and want to update the address Gmail uses to contact you about account security, you're changing your recovery email. If you want people to see a different address when you send them messages, you're changing your display name. This guide covers both.

Key Takeaways

  • Your recovery email is what Gmail contacts you at if your account is compromised or you forget your password — change it in the Security section of your account settings.
  • Your display name and sender address are what people see when you email them — change these in the "Send mail as" section if you have multiple addresses, or in your account name settings if you have one.
  • You can send mail from up to four different addresses using the same Gmail inbox, and each one can have its own display name.
  • If you add a new recovery email, Gmail will send a confirmation link to that address before it becomes active.
  • Changing your recovery email does not change your Gmail login address — you still sign in with your original Gmail address or any phone number you've added.

How to change your recovery email address

Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in if you're not already signed in. On the left side, click Security. Scroll down until you see How you sign in to Google, then look for Recovery email below that. Click on it.

You'll see your current recovery email (if one is set). Click the pencil icon or the Edit button next to it. Type in your new email address — this can be any email address you actually own and check regularly, whether it's a Gmail address, an Outlook address, a work email, or anything else. Click Change recovery email. Google will send a confirmation link to that new address. Open that email and click the link to confirm. Once you do, the new address becomes your recovery email.

If you don't see a recovery email listed, it means you haven't set one yet. Click Add recovery email and follow the same steps. Having a recovery email is one of the strongest defenses against account takeover, so it's worth setting up even if Gmail doesn't require it.

How to change what address appears when you send mail

If you want people to see a different sender address or name when you email them, the steps depend on whether you're sending from your main Gmail address or from an alternate address.

Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in. On the left, click Personal info. At the top, you'll see your name. Click on it. You can change your first name, last name, or both. This is what appears in the "From" line of your emails. Click Save when you're done.

If you want to send mail from a completely different email address (not just change your name), you need to add it as an alternate sending address. Go back to myaccount.google.com, click Security on the left, scroll down to How you sign in to Google, and look for Your email addresses. Click Add another email address. Type in the address you want to send from, then click Next. Gmail will send a confirmation code to that address. Check that email, copy the code, paste it into Gmail, and click Verify. Once verified, you can choose which address to send from in the compose window — click the dropdown next to your name at the top left of any new email.

What happens if you change your recovery email and then lose access to your account

If you change your recovery email and then forget your password, Google will send a password reset link to your new recovery email address. Make sure you set a recovery email you check regularly and that you have access to it. If you set a recovery email and then lose access to it (for example, if it's a work email and you leave the job), go back and change it again before that happens.

If you lose access to both your Gmail address and your recovery email, Google has a recovery process, but it's slower and requires you to answer security questions or provide other proof that you own the account. Having a current recovery email you can actually access is much faster.

Why you might want multiple sending addresses

Gmail lets you send mail from up to four different email addresses using the same inbox. This is useful if you have a work email and a personal email, or if you run a small business and want a professional address but prefer to manage everything in one place. Each address can have its own display name — your work email might show "Jane Smith, Acme Corp" while your personal email shows just "Jane".

To set this up, add each address as an alternate sending address (following the steps above), then verify each one. In the compose window, click the dropdown next to your name and choose which address to send from. The recipient will see whichever address you chose, and replies will go to that address — but they'll all land in your main Gmail inbox.

Changing your address if your account was hacked

If someone else has access to your Gmail account, changing your recovery email alone won't lock them out — they can change it again. You need to change your password first. Go to myaccount.google.com, click Security, find Your password, and click on it. Type your current password, then type a new one twice. Make it something long and random that you haven't used anywhere else. Click Change password.

After you've changed your password, change your recovery email to one you control and that the hacker doesn't know about. Check the Your devices section in Security settings and sign out of any devices you don't recognize. If you're not sure whether the account is still compromised, consider enabling 2-Step Verification in the Security section — this requires a code from your phone every time someone signs in, even if they have your password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Gmail address itself, or just the recovery email?

You cannot change the Gmail address you use to sign in (the part before @gmail.com). You can only change your recovery email, your display name, or add alternate addresses to send from. If you need a different Gmail address, you have to create a new account.

What if I add a recovery email but never get the confirmation code?

Check your spam folder — confirmation emails sometimes land there. If it's not there, go back to the recovery email settings and try again. Make sure you typed the address correctly. If the address is no longer active, you'll need to use a different one.

If I change my recovery email, do I have to sign in again?

No. Changing your recovery email does not affect how you sign in. You still use your Gmail address or phone number to log in. The recovery email is only used if you forget your password or if Google detects suspicious activity on your account.

Can someone else see what my recovery email is?

No. Your recovery email is private and only visible to you in your account settings. Google will not show it to other people, and it won't appear in your email signature or anywhere else public.

What if I set a recovery email and then that email account gets deleted?

If your recovery email account is deleted or closed, you should update your recovery email in Gmail as soon as you realize it. If you wait until you actually need it, you won't be able to receive the password reset link. Go back to the Security section and add a different recovery email while you still have access to your Gmail account.