Switch existing email alias to primary email address

Problem

You are trying to rename a user's primary email address to one of their existing email aliases.

Environment

  • Google Workspace
  • Admin console
  • User and Organizational Level Management

Solution

Deleting the existing alias.

This is necessary, as you won't be able to change your primary email address to an existing email alias directly.
  1. Log in to the Admin Console.
  2. From the left-hand panel, go to Directory > Users > [User Name].
  3. From the right-hand panel, click on User information.
  4. Under Alternate email addresses (email alias), remove the existing email alias you want to change to.
  5. Save the changes.
Changing the primary email address.
  1. Log in to the Admin Console.
  2. From the left-hand panel, go to Directory > Users > [User Name].
  3. On the left side, under the user's name, click on Update user.
  4. Change the primary email address to the recently deleted email alias.
  5. Save the changes.
Note: After changing the primary email address of a user, their previous primary email address automatically gets added as an email alias.