How to Update a Yahoo Alias & Change Your Account Nickname

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An in-depth guide to Yahoo aliases

Co-authored by Darlene Antonelli, MA Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Managing a Yahoo Alias
|
• Changing Your Account Nickname
|
• Q&A

|Show more |Show less

Alias or nickname? An alias for a Yahoo account is a temporary email address that you use instead of your actual email address. This adds a layer of security and privacy if you use your alias, or temporary email address, in places you don't trust. On the other hand, you have a nickname on Yahoo that you can control. A nickname is what others will see, like comments you make on Yahoo News.

Quick Steps to Managing a Yahoo Alias

1. Open "More Settings" in Yahoo Mail.
2. Click Mailboxes.
3. Click Add under "Temporary email addresses."
4. Add a nickname or alias and click Next.
5. Add a keyword and description, then click Save.
6. Click Delete next to an alias to delete it.

Steps

Section 1 of 2:

Managing a Yahoo Alias

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1. 
   1
   Click "Mailboxes" and click Add to add aliases. The "Mailboxes" option is in the menu on the left side of the page. The "Add" option is below the "Temporary email addresses" header.

   • To see this option, click the gear icon and select More Settings.
   • You won't see this section if you have a free Yahoo account and if the Plus feature isn't available in your area. You must pay for a Yahoo Mail Pro account to use this feature if you do live in a region where this is available.
   • If you already have a temporary email address and want to create another, you'll need to expand this menu first to see the Add option.
   • Add a nickname for the temporary email account. You'll see an empty field next to "Create a permanent nickname."
   • This can't be changed once you create it.
   • Click Next to continue.
   • Add a keyword and description, then click Save. You can create up to 500 temporary email addresses. You'll see a red triangle icon next to any addresses that are over the limit and existing addresses must be deleted before you can make more.
   • Create new email aliases online with a computer, but once you have it created, you can send and receive email to the alias using the mobile app.
2. 
   2
   Click the alias and click Delete to get rid of an alias. Go to More Settings > Mailboxes" and select the email under "Temporary email addresses." Click "Delete" to remove it from your Yahoo account.
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3. 
   3
   Click the alias and click Edit to change an alias. Go to More Settings > Mailboxes" and select the email under "Temporary email addresses." Click "Edit" to change the info, like the keyword used or description.
4. 
   4
   Switch the sender in an email to your alias. When you're composing a new email, click the arrow next to your regular email address and choose your temporary email address.

   • Your alias or temporary email address will look like this: nickname-keyword@yahoo.com. So if you don't trust an online retailer, you can give them a temporary email address, like fashionista-trustworthy@yahoo.com.
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Section 2 of 2:

Changing Your Account Nickname

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1. 
   1
   Go to Manage Your Account on Yahoo. Click your profile picture or icon and click Manage your account.
2. 
   2
   Click Personal Info. It's on the menu along the top of your browser with Overview and Wallet.
3. 
   3
   Click Update personal details. This will open a new window.
4. 
   4
   Edit the name in the "Preferred name" field. What is written here will display on your Yahoo profile as well as appear in comments you make on Yahoo sites, like Yahoo News.

   • Click Save updates when you're done to apply the changes and close the window.
   • If you use special characters that aren't supported, your preferred name might appear weirdly throughout Yahoo.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  How many Yahoo aliases can someone have?

  

  Community Answer

  You are allowed only 1 Yahoo alias per Yahoo account.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 6 Helpful 12
• Question

  Can I separate my incoming email based on the aliases to whom they were sent?

  

  Community Answer

  Yes, to do this go to Settings -> Filters, click on Add, and type the alias email address in the to/cc field. Select the folder you want the e-mails delivered, and click on Save.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 5
• Question

  How do I do this on my mobile?

  

  Community Answer

  You first press the shift key and press alt + F4 immediately after.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 15 Helpful 2

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