New Delhi, Dec. 26 -- For nearly two decades, a Gmail address has been permanent; once chosen, it followed users for life. That long-standing rule now appears to be changing. Google is quietly rolling out a feature that will allow users to change their @gmail.com email address without creating a new account or losing data.

The update, first spotted on a Google support page currently available in Hindi, suggests that Gmail users will soon be able to switch to a new username while keeping their existing inbox, subscriptions, and account access intact. While Google has not made a formal public announcement yet, the company confirms the functionality is "gradually rolling out" to users.

Until now, Google only allowed users to change their a...