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What happens to my email address when switching broadband providers?
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Switching broadband? Don’t forget about your inbox. If your email address is linked to your old provider, you could lose access or end up paying a fee just to keep it! Here’s what how to make a smooth switch and save your inbox
By Virgin Media Edit
- Published
- 21 July 2025
I’m switching broadband providers – what happens to my email?
When switching broadband providers, it’s easy to focus on things like faster speeds, better deals, and installation dates, but forget to ask: what happens to your email address? If you’ve been using an email linked to your old internet provider, like yourname@virginmediao2.co.uk, switching could mean losing access to your inbox, your contacts, important communications, and even your ability to log in to services like your bank or Netflix.
While it’s natural to get attached to your email (just like a phone number), provider-based addresses aren’t always portable. And, unfortunately, not every broadband provider makes it easy to take your inbox with you.
So, if you’re ready to switch broadband, it’s worth checking your current provider’s policy, and think about moving to a free email service like Gmail our Outlook which will stay with you no matter who your broadband provider is.
If I switch providers, will I lose my email address?
When you sign up with a broadband provider, you’re often given an email account linked to it. These typically look like yourname@virginmediao2.co.uk or username@sky.com.
Unlike independent email services like Gmail or Outlook, which stay with you no matter who you get your internet from, email accounts issued by broadband companies are often tied to your contract and can be shut down when your service ends.
This means:
Once you cancel your broadband, your email account may be deactivated
Some providers give a short grace period (usually 30–90 days)
Others might delete your inbox immediately when your service ends
So, unless your provider offers ongoing access or you’re willing to pay to keep your email address, you could lose your inbox, contacts, and any important emails. You might also get locked out of logins tied to that email, like online banking, HMRC, social media, and subscriptions.
Tips to change your email address before switching internet providers
Before you switch internet providers, take a few simple steps to make sure you don’t lose access to important emails, contacts, or online subscriptions. Whether you're switching to a free service like Gmail or simply trying to future-proof your inbox, these tips will help you transition smoothly without any stress.
Instead of paying your old broadband provider or starting from scratch every time you switch, use a neutral, cloud-based email like Gmail for all important accounts for anything important going forward. They’re free and not linked to any internet provider, and they offer great spam protection and cloud storage, with easier options to recover your password or access if locked out.
Most modern email platforms like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo have built-in tools to help you import old emails and contacts. This means you can keep important conversations, saved files, and address book even after switching broadband providers. It only takes a few minutes, and there are plenty of simple online guides to walk you through it.
Start with your essential accounts, think:
Online banking
Utility providers
Shopping apps
Streaming subscriptions
While you're at it, do some inbox spring cleaning. Unsubscribe from emails you no longer want and keep only the stuff that sparks joy (or helps you save).
Then let friends, family, and contacts know you’ve switched.
If your old broadband provider allows it, enable email forwarding so that any new messages sent to your old address are automatically redirected to your new one. This will make sure you don't miss any important updates while people adjust to your new email.
Set an autoreply, too. Something simple like "'I've switched email addresses. Please reach me at [your new address]" to make sure your contacts know how to get in touch.
Keep your recovery options updated, add a backup phone and email. Consider setting up two-factor authentication for extra security. Then, update the old account with a strong new password, even if you’re not planning to use it again. This helps protect your data in case that account is ever compromised.
Bonus Tip: Start this process at least a month before you switch to have plenty of time to catch anything you’ve missed.
Even if you're not going to use your old email account again, it's still worth updating it with a strong, unique password. This helps protect any remaining personal data from hackers or breaches. Old accounts can still be targeted, especially if they’ve been inactive for a while, so locking them down protects your sensitive info, contacts, and historic emails from falling into the wrong hands.
How to move your email address to a free email service
Sticking with your old provider’s email for three years can end up being expensive. Instead, switching to a free email like Gmail or Outlook is a smart, cost-effective move that only takes a few minutes.
How to switch your email to Gmail
Sticking with your old provider’s email for three years could add up to around £180. Instead, switching to a free email like Gmail or Outlook is a smart, cost-effective move that only takes a few minutes.
Open Gmail and click the️ Settings icon in the top right corner.
Go to ‘Accounts and Import’, then click ‘Import mail and contacts’.
Enter your old email address and follow the on-screen prompts to start the import.
Next, set up email forwarding in your old account, so any new emails automatically go to your new Gmail inbox.
For example, in Virgin Media Mail:
Open the email you want to forward, select the forward option, and enter your new Gmail and tap Send.Export your contacts from your old account to avoid losing anyone important.
Send a quick message to your key contacts letting them know you’ve switched to a new email address.
Learn how to manage your Virgin Media email account with useful tools to organise and manage your inbox, such as email forwarding, using your address book, and searching and filtering messages through your inbox.
Ready to switch?
Switching broadband doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to your digital life. With the right prep, backing up your data, updating your accounts, and switching to a permanent email service, you can switch smoothly and stay connected.
Think of it as a digital spring clean to declutter your inbox, upgrade your email security, and get a permanent and independent email address.
Switch to Virgin Media from your current provider for ultrafast speeds, great bundles, and a £0 setup fee when you move to our superfast broadband. We’ll do all the heavy lifting for you.
Ready to switch? Check out our latest broadband deals and see how easy it is to make the move.
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