How to Change the WordPress Admin Email: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re a WordPress website owner, you already know how crucial your admin email address is. It’s not just for receiving notifications; it’s also your lifeline for account recovery and security. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you three easy methods to change your WordPress admin email. Whether you’ve forgotten your email or just want to update it for better security, we’ve got you covered.

How to Change the WordPress Admin Email: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Method 1: Using the WordPress Admin Dashboard

The WordPress admin dashboard is your website’s control center, and it’s where you can make many important changes, including your admin email.

  1. Log into Your WordPress Dashboard:
    • To begin, log in to your WordPress admin dashboard. You can do this by adding “/wp-admin” to the end of your website’s URL (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com/wp-admin) and entering your credentials.
  2. Navigate to Settings:
    • In the dashboard, you’ll find a menu on the left side. Hover your cursor over “Settings” and click on “General.”
  3. Update Your Email:
    • Once you’re in the General Settings, you’ll see an option labeled “Email Address.” Here, you can change the email associated with your WordPress admin account.
  4. Save Changes:
    • After entering your new email address, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Save Changes” button.

That’s it! You’ve successfully changed your WordPress admin email address using the dashboard.

Method 2: Using phpMyAdmin

If you’re comfortable with databases and want a more direct approach, you can use phpMyAdmin to change your admin email.

  1. Access phpMyAdmin:
    • Log in to your hosting control panel. Most hosting providers offer cPanel, which includes a tool called phpMyAdmin. Find and open phpMyAdmin.
  2. Select Your WordPress Database:
    • In phpMyAdmin, locate the database associated with your WordPress website and click on it.
  3. Locate the ‘wp_options’ Table:
    • Within your database, you’ll find a list of tables. Look for one named “wp_options” and click on it.
  4. Edit the ‘admin_email’ Value:
    • In the wp_options table, you’ll see a list of rows and their corresponding values. Find the row with the option_name “admin_email.” Click the “Edit” button (pencil icon) next to it.
  5. Update Your Email Address:
    • You’ll see a field for “option_value.” Replace the current email address with your new admin email.
  6. Save Changes:
    • Don’t forget to save your changes by clicking the “Go” or “Save” button.

Using phpMyAdmin is a bit more technical, but it’s a powerful method to change your WordPress admin email.

Method 3: Through FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

If you can’t access your WordPress dashboard or phpMyAdmin, you can still change your admin email through FTP.

  1. Access Your Website Files:
    • You’ll need an FTP client like FileZilla to connect to your website’s server. Log in to your server using FTP credentials.
  2. Locate the ‘wp-config.php’ File:
    • In your website’s root directory, find the “wp-config.php” file. Right-click and select “View/Edit” or “Edit” to open it in a text editor.
  3. Add the Code:
    • Inside the wp-config.php file, add the following code right before the line that says “That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing.”
    php
    define('ADMIN_EMAIL', 'yournewemail@example.com');

    Replace ‘yournewemail@example.com‘ with your actual new admin email address.

  4. Save the File:
    • Save the wp-config.php file and close the text editor.

By adding this code, you’re telling WordPress to use the new email address as the admin email.

Conclusion:

Changing your WordPress admin email is a straightforward process, and you can choose the method that suits you best. Whether you prefer the user-friendly dashboard, the direct approach of phpMyAdmin, or the flexibility of FTP, your website’s security and functionality are in your hands. Keep your admin email up to date, and you’ll be better prepared for any situation that comes your way.

By following these simple steps, you’ve learned how to change your WordPress admin email address in three different ways. Whether you use the dashboard, phpMyAdmin, or FTP, keeping your admin email current is essential for the security and functionality of your WordPress website. So, go ahead and make that change now, and enjoy a more secure online presence!