How to Change WordPress Admin Email (3 Methods) | WordPress Guide

The WordPress admin email address is crucial for receiving important notifications including security alerts, comment moderation requests, and system updates. If you need to update this email address (because you've lost access to the old one or changed organizations), here are three reliable methods to change it.

Method 1: Change WordPress Admin Email Through Dashboard

The simplest way to update your admin email is through the WordPress dashboard:

  1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard
  2. Navigate to Settings → General
  3. Find the Administration Email Address field
  4. Enter your new email address
  5. Click Save Changes at the bottom
  6. Check your new email for a confirmation link (must confirm within 72 hours)

Note: If you don't confirm the change, WordPress will revert to the previous email address.

Method 2: Update Admin Email via PHP Code

If you can't access the dashboard or need to bypass the confirmation requirement, use this PHP method:

<?php

// Add this to your theme's functions.php file

update_option('admin_email', 'your-new-email@example.com');

// Remove after execution to prevent accidental changes

?>

Implementation steps:

  1. Access your site files via FTP or File Manager
  2. Navigate to /wp-content/themes/your-theme/
  3. Edit functions.php (always back up first)
  4. Add the code snippet above (with your actual email)
  5. Save the file - the change takes effect immediately
  6. Remove the code after verification

Method 3: Change Admin Email via phpMyAdmin

For direct database access, follow these phpMyAdmin steps:

  1. Login to your hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk, etc.)
  2. Open phpMyAdmin from the databases section
  3. Select your WordPress database (usually starts with wp_)
  4. Find and open the wp_options table
  5. Locate the admin_email row (option_name column)
  6. Click Edit and update the option_value
  7. Click Save to confirm the change

Pro Tip: If you don't see wp_options, your table prefix might be different. Look for {prefix}_options instead.

How to Verify Your WordPress Admin Email Change

After making changes, verify the update with this quick check:

<?php

// Temporary verification script

$current_admin_email = get_option('admin_email');

echo 'Current Admin Email: ' . esc_html($current_admin_email);

?>

Create a temporary PHP file with this code in your theme directory, then access it via browser. Remember to delete it afterward for security.

Keeping Your WordPress Admin Email Current

Maintaining an active admin email address is critical for WordPress security and functionality. For most users, Method 1 (dashboard change) is recommended as it includes confirmation safeguards. However, if you've lost access to both your WordPress account and old email, Methods 2 or 3 provide reliable alternatives.

Best practice: Always update your admin email when changing domains or organizations, and consider using a group email (like admin@yourdomain.com) rather than a personal address for better continuity.