Changing your Gmail Identity

JustinBieberFanForever@gmail.com seemed like such a good idea at the time, but now that you are looking for a new job and the soon-to-be in-laws gave you such a strange look when you gave it as your contract information you are reconsidering the choice. Perhaps changing your identity on Gmail might be a good idea. You could pick something a little more fitting for someone with a few life changing events coming up.

Out with the old

Do not delete the old account before getting the new completely set up. In one window bring up your old Gmail account.

Bring up a new window and go to Gmail, but instead of signing into your account here click on the “Create an Account” button at the bottom right corner of the screen.

This choice takes you to the Get Started with Gmail screen. You will need to fill out your first and last name. In the Desired Login Name it will have an option typed in based on your name, but you don’t have to use this suggestion. You can type in something uniquely of your own design. When you have typed in the hoped for new identity then click the “Check availability” button.

Once you get the go ahead type in your password then retype it for the check. You can create a Security Question either from the drop down menu or write in the answer yourself. Complete the rest of the information and read through the Terms of Service. Select the “I accept. Create my account” button and you are at least done with the creation part of the new identity.

Now you need to look at your old account. You will need to go through all the setting to have the same services and features you have with the new account. Go back and forth between screens to check for this information and make changes where needed. You can’t import the contact information unfortunately so you will need to add this information. If you have any special notes in the contacts you will have to move these too.

The good news is that you can share your calendar with your old identity while you take your time set it up and putting in all of your scheduling information.

One point of concern is that among the settings you shouldn’t forget to run through the mobilize process and verify your cell phone number if you keep track of calendar changes or email notifications from your cell phone.

It can take awhile to move everything over to the new identity so it is a good idea to keep the old identity going for a while during this process. You will want to tell others of the change and encourage them to use the new address. Keep checking the old Gmail account frequently at first then try forwarding the old account mail to the new one. Taking up to a year to shut down the old identity isn’t uncommon if you had the old Gmail account for a long time.

Photo Credits: mlabowicz

Originally posted 2010-05-29 03:35:49.

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changing your identity, gmail, new identity, username

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Computer Tips, Internet and Email

Posted by How To Computer on February 1, 2012 in Computer Tips, Internet and Email. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.