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Jason Ginsberg / 8.05.2023Home / Email Security
How to change your email address without losing crucial data—available solutions
Is your current email address ready for a change? Learn how to change your email address effortlessly using the available methods.
An email address is an important part of our identity and affects how we present ourselves to our personal and business connections. There are multiple reasons for changing an email address, but most users are reluctant because it can entail some complications, especially if they’ve used it for a long time. A more concerning question is will the action lead to the loss of user data.In this guide, we will discuss how to change an email address without a fuss using various methods. Whether you want to change your username, domain name, or the email service as a whole—you’ll find the solution you need.
Many users also want to switch email addresses upon finding a better service. For example, privacy-focused clients have been trying to move from Big Tech providers (Gmail and Outlook) and migrate to more secure services, such as Tutanota and Skiff.
Safeguard your data during email changesSkiff Mail simplifies data migration, ensuring a seamless transition without data loss
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Why change an email address?
Specific situations call for a new email address, as described in the following table.| Change of name | A user who has changed their name (say, after marriage or due to gender reassignment) would want their email username to reflect their new identity |
| Unprofessional username | Many users are stuck with an email with a casual username that can be embarrassing to use in certain situations, so they want their new username to be more professional/mature in tone |
| Old domain name | People who’ve set up their primary email address with old domain names (such as Rediffmail or Hotmail) may want to switch to a more modern and relevant domain |
What can you change about your email address?
You can change your username (the part before “@”), your domain name (the part after “@”), or the entire address. Whether and how you can do that depends on the features and customizations offered by a particular email service provider.Let’s explore the available options for changing your address:- With your current provider
- By switching to a new provider
How do you change an email address with a current provider?
With most email providers, the email address (especially the username) set up during account creation is permanent and cannot be edited. You must create a new email account from scratch to get a new address, leaving you with two email accounts (or more).If you create two emails with the same provider, it would be best to set up automatic forwarding between the accounts (provided the service allows it). Outlook and Gmail offer an auto-forwarding feature, for example.Changing domain names is easier as most providers allow their clients to use a self-owned domain instead of the proprietary one. The feature is often used by businesses who want their email addresses to contain their company name. Gmail Workspace users can customize their domain name on a paid subscription.Can you change your email address without creating a new account?
If you don’t want to set up a new email account but want a new username, you should consider aliases.An alias email is an additional email address associated with your current account, typically using the same account settings as your primary address. It can be used to send and receive emails. All emails addressed to an alias will end up in your primary inbox. Alias addresses are commonly used to:- Hide your primary email address—Communicating from your alias address implies your primary address won’t be revealed to the recipient
- Use a temporary address—Alias addresses can be created, enabled, and disabled as per convenience, making them perfect for temporary use. These functionalities also help reduce spam because you can easily delete an alias associated with a service that sends unnecessary emails
- Create a professional presence for a business—Up-and-coming startups often use aliases to add different addresses for various departments. For example, a business can set up an alias [email protected] for the service department and [email protected] for the legal team
Do all email services allow aliases?
Almost all email services allow adding aliases, but the setup complexity can vary. Gmail and Outlook impose a pretty complicated procedure to add aliases. You typically have to:- Create another email account with the provider (or add an existing one)
- Configure the POP/IMAP and SMTP settings to add the alias address to your primary account
How to switch email accounts by picking a new provider—practical tips
If you’re looking for an uncomplicated, long-term solution to change your email address, it’s often better to choose a new service provider that meets your current needs. Most customer-centric service providers offer migration support to help users import contacts and messages to their new account.Here are some practical tips to follow during the transition:- Get an inventory of all the accounts that currently use your old email address and update the details gradually
- Share your new email address with your contacts. Make sure to alert core services like banks, credit card companies, and healthcare providers about the change
- Do not delete or disable your old email account immediately. Monitor it to check whether you’ve missed notifying someone about the change. Email transitions don’t have a specific time frame, so give it at least 3–6 months
Opt for a safe migration solutionSkiff Mail's encrypted storage ensures your crucial data stays secure while changing email addresses
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Choosing a new email provider? Put security at the top of your list
Changing email service providers is a lengthy process, and going through it frequently is impractical. With that in mind, ensure your new provider meets your needs while adequately protecting you from online security threats.Picking a new tech giant (Outlook, Gmail, or Yahoo) may not be wise if you value security and privacy.They typically offer a bare minimum in terms of security with basic Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption. TLS protects your emails by encrypting them during transmission but not while they rest on servers. The decryption keys are handled by the service provider, often susceptible to cyberattacks.If you want advanced security with your new email account, get an end-to-end encrypted email service—like Skiff. End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is one of the strongest security protocols for email communication because it ensures no one has access to the message besides the sender and recipient.An end-to-end encrypted email is scrambled as it leaves the sender’s device and is turned into plaintext only at the recipient’s device with a unique key. No other party can read the email because they don’t have the decryption key.How Skiff uses E2EE to protect your communication
Skiff uses end-to-end encryption to secure your inbox, attachments, and cloud-stored files. To decrypt the comms, two keys are required. The public key is shared between the sender and the recipient and is used to encrypt the message. The corresponding private key is stored on the recipient’s device and used to decrypt it.With Skiff’s carefully designed E2EE, no unintended party—including Skiff—can access your inbox. The best part is that the platform is beautifully designed and easy to use. The encryption is automated, and you don’t need advanced technical knowledge to figure it out.Skiff offers additional security with the help of:- Two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Zero-knowledge login (Skiff does not collect any personal information during signup, so malicious actors cannot identify you)
- Advanced protection from spam and email attacks
Can Skiff replace your current email service?
Skiff is an ideal replacement for most email services because it gives you convenient features and productivity tools on one platform.Check out some of the popular functionalities of Skiff Mail:- Four free Skiff aliases
- Short aliases
- Custom domains
- 10 GB of free storage (expandable up to 1 TB on paid plans)
- Advanced text search
- Schedule or undo options
- Custom signatures
- Auto reply
- Custom folders and labels
- Customizable filters
- Advanced admin controls
- Free integration with several crypto wallets (for anonymous communications)
- Skiff Calendar—It syncs with your mail account and allows you to schedule personal and private events and video calls
- Skiff Drive—You can upload various files on your Skiff Drive, with the option to share the links privately. For fans of decentralized cloud storage, the platform offers optional InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) integration
- Skiff Pages—Skiff Pages lets you create documents, collaborate with your team, and keep track of modifications in real time
How to migrate from your old email account to Skiff
Skiff offers easy one-click migration. You can download your existing content—emails, contacts, documents, and other files—from your old to your new account. The platform’s support team is responsive and will promptly assist you with any potential issues.Get started by creating an account:- Visit the signup page (or download the MacOS, Android, or iOS app)
- Choose a username and create a password
- Explore the options
| Essential | Pro | Business |
| $3 per month | $8 per month | $12 per month |
| 15 GB | 100 GB | 1 TB |
