How to Change the WordPress Admin Email (Easy Steps)

Changing the WordPress admin email is one of the first things every website owner should think about when setting up a website. This email is important because it helps you receive updates, password reset links, and other notifications from WordPress. But sometimes, you might need to change this email address for various reasons. Maybe you want to use a new email for better management or maybe the old one is no longer working.

In this article, we’ll explain how to change the WordPress admin email, discuss why you should do it, and give you some helpful tips to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Why Should You Change the WordPress Admin Email?

Before we dive into the steps, let’s quickly talk about why you should change the admin email address in the first place.

1. Security Reasons

Sometimes, the email linked to your WordPress admin account might be old, or you might not use it anymore. This can be risky because if someone gains access to that old email, they can reset your password and take over your website.

2. Better Management

You may want to keep all WordPress notifications in one place, like a work email, so it’s easier to track. Or, you might just want to switch to an email that is more organized or professional.

3. Fixing Email Delivery Problems

If you are not getting important updates or notifications, like plugin updates or new user registrations, your admin email might be the issue. Changing it to a more reliable email address can help solve these problems.

What Should You Be Aware of When Changing Your Admin Email?

Before you make any changes, there are a few things you need to consider:

1. Verification Email

WordPress will send a verification email to the new email address. You will need to confirm this email before the change is complete. If you don’t verify it, the old email address will remain in place.

2. Updating Other Accounts

If you use the admin email for things like notifications from plugins, forms, or third-party integrations, make sure to update those settings as well.

3. Don’t Lose Access

Ensure that you have access to both the old and the new email inboxes, just in case you need to recover or reset your WordPress admin password.

Steps to Change the WordPress Admin Email

Follow these simple steps to update your WordPress admin email and ensure you never miss important notifications. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, these methods will guide you through the process.

Method 1: Change WordPress Admin Email from Dashboard (Simple Method)

The easiest way to change your WordPress admin email is through the dashboard. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Log in to Your Website

First, open your website on your computer or phone and go to the login page. The login page can be found by typing your website address and adding “/wp-admin” at the end (like this: yourwebsite.com/wp-admin). Here, you will need to enter your username and password to get into the website’s control area.

Step 2: Find the Email Settings

Once you are logged in, look for a menu on the left side of the screen. There will be an option called “Settings.” Click on it, then choose “General” from the list. On the next page, you will see a section called “Administration Email Address.”

This is the current email address that WordPress uses to send you important messages about your website.

Step 3: Change Your Email and Confirm It

Now, you can change the email address by typing the new one in the box. After that, scroll down and click the “Save Changes” button. WordPress will send a confirmation email to your new email address.

Open your email inbox, find the message from WordPress, and click the link inside to confirm the change. Once you do this, your admin email will be updated successfully.

This process is simple, and once completed, you’ll make sure all important messages from your website are sent to your new email address.

Tip: Make sure to check your spam folder if you don’t see the email in your inbox.

Method 2: Change Admin Email WordPress via phpMyAdmin (Advanced Method)

If you can’t change the admin email through the WordPress dashboard (maybe due to some plugin conflict or if you’re locked out of your admin account), you can use phpMyAdmin. This is a more advanced method, so if you’re not comfortable with it, consider asking a developer or using the first method.

Step 1: Log in to Your Hosting Control Panel

To begin, log in to your hosting account by going to your hosting provider’s cPanel or admin panel. This is where you manage all the technical aspects of your website, including databases and emails.

Step 2: Open phpMyAdmin

Once you’re in your hosting control panel, look for a tool called phpMyAdmin. This tool allows you to manage the databases of your website. Click on it to open phpMyAdmin.

Step 3: Select Your WordPress Database

On the left side of phpMyAdmin, you’ll see a list of databases. Find and select the database used by your WordPress website. If you’re unsure which one it is, it’s usually named similarly to your website or with the prefix wp_.

Step 4: Find the wp_options Table

Inside the database, look for a table called wp_options. This table contains a lot of settings for your WordPress site. Click on it to open it.

Step 5: Edit the Admin Email

Once you’re in the wp_options table, look for the option called admin_email. This field stores the admin email address for your website. Click the “Edit” button next to it. You’ll then be able to change the email address to the new one you want to use.

Step 6: Save Changes

After updating the email address, scroll down and click the “Go” button to save your changes. Your admin email will now be successfully updated in your WordPress database.

By following these steps, you can manually change your WordPress admin email directly through phpMyAdmin if you’re unable to do it via the WordPress dashboard.

Tip: Be very careful when editing the database. A small mistake can break your website.

Final Thoughts

Changing your WordPress admin email is an important step in managing your website. Whether it’s for better security, better management, or to avoid missing important notifications, this change can make a big difference. The good news is that it’s easy to do, even for beginners, and you have multiple methods to choose from.

Just remember to verify the new email, and always double-check your changes to avoid any access issues. If you run into problems, don’t hesitate to ask for help from a WordPress expert or refer to support forums.

By keeping your admin email up to date, you’re ensuring your website runs smoothly and stays secure.

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