Changing your primary email address is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. Your primary email is the main email account associated with your profile on a website or service. It’s used for logging in, receiving notifications, and any other essential communications. Here’s what you need to know about changing your primary email address.
Why Would You Want to Change Your Primary Email?
There are a few common reasons you may want to update your primary email address:
- You don’t use an old email anymore – If you’ve stopped using an old email account, keeping it as your primary address means you could miss important messages.
- You’ve switched to a new email provider – Perhaps you’ve changed from Gmail to Outlook, or you want to use your work email address instead of a personal address.
- You were hacked or spammed – If your old email was compromised, you’ll want to switch to a more secure email address.
- You changed your name – If you changed your name due to marriage or another reason, you may want an email that reflects your new name.
How to Change Your Primary Email Address on Key Websites
The process for changing your primary or main email address may vary a bit between websites and services. Here are instructions for some of the most popular sites:
- Click on the down arrow in the top right and choose “Settings”.
- On the left side, click “General”.
- Under “Contact Info”, click “Edit” next to Email.
- Enter your new desired primary email address and click “Save Changes”.
- Facebook will send a confirmation code to your new email. Enter it and click “Confirm”.
Gmail
- Open Gmail and click on your profile icon in the top right.
- Choose “Manage your Google Account”.
- On the left side, click “Personal info”.
- Under “Contact info”, click the pencil icon next to Email.
- Enter your new email and click “Save”.
- Follow the verification steps Google sends to your new email.
Microsoft/Outlook
- Go to account.microsoft.com and log in.
- Click on your profile photo and choose “My Microsoft account”.
- Under “Personal info”, click “Edit” next to Email address.
- Enter your new email and click “Save”.
- Check the new email for a confirmation code from Microsoft. Enter it to complete the change.
Apple
- Open the Apple ID management page at appleid.apple.com.
- Sign in and click “Edit” next to Primary Email.
- Enter the new email address and click “Save Changes”.
- Check for a verification email from Apple and confirm the new address.
Amazon
- Hover over “Accounts & Lists” near the top and click “Your Account”.
- Under “Login & security”, click “Edit” next to Email address.
- Enter the new email and click “Save changes”.
- Amazon will send a code to your new email to confirm the change.
Ebay
- Click “My eBay” at the top and select “Account”.
- Under “Personal Information”, click “info” next to Email.
- Enter your new email and click “Save”.
- Check the new email for a confirmation code and enter it on Ebay.
- On the web, go to Settings under your profile icon.
- Click “Account” and then “Change email”.
- Enter and confirm your new email.
- Check for a confirmation email from Twitter and click the link inside.
Tips for Changing Your Primary Email
Here are some helpful tips when going through the process of changing your primary or main email address:
- Double check the new email is entered correctly everywhere to avoid errors.
- Use a password manager to easily update your login details.
- Consider enabling multi-factor authentication for important accounts.
- Check your old email for any loose ends like subscription notices.
- Update your email in your contacts and anywhere else it may be on record.
- Change your email on shopping, social media, forums, and any other sites you use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about changing your primary email address:
How long does it take to change your primary email?
It usually takes just a few minutes to enter the new email on most websites. However, waiting for the confirmation messages can add time, so the overall process may take 15-30 minutes.
What happens to my old primary email?
Your old primary email won’t be deleted or disabled automatically. You can keep using it or close the account if you no longer need it. Make sure to update anywhere that still has your old address.
Can I have two primary emails?
Most services only allow setting one primary email per account. Some let you add aliases, but you’ll still have just one main login email.
Will changing my primary email affect anything?
Your account data, preferences, purchases, and anything else under your profile will remain the same. The only change is your login and contact email.
Can I undo the primary email change?
Yes, you can revert back to your old primary email in most cases by just repeating the steps above. The same confirmation process will occur.
Summary
Switching your primary or main email address is a straightforward process on most major websites and services. Here are some key points to remember:
- Use the account settings page to update your email – settings vary a bit on each site.
- Check for a confirmation code or link in the new email and enter it.
- Your account info remains the same – only your login email changes.
- Update your primary address everywhere it was used, including contacts.
- You can revert the change if needed by switching back to the old email.
Changing your primary email allows you to maintain control of your most important digital accounts and preferences. With billions of email accounts used worldwide, it’s common for people to update their main address. By following the right steps, you can ensure a smooth transition that causes minimal disruption.
Conclusion
Changing your primary email address is a relatively quick and easy process following the instructions for each service. Make sure to complete all the confirmation steps to avoid any issues accessing your accounts. Within about 30 minutes you can switch over to your new main email, allowing you to keep your digital life organized from a single, updated inbox.
Changing your primary email is a straightforward process following these steps for the major email providers and websites. Update your login email, confirm the new address, and switch your contacts over for a smooth transition.