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Quick answer
Your email address is one of the contact details linked to your SHA account, alongside your phone number. If it's outdated, incorrect, or no longer accessible to you, it's worth having it updated so that notifications and account access aren't affected.
Key things to know
- Email is part of your contact details alongside your phone number.
- An outdated or inaccessible email can mean missing important account notifications.
- Updating it generally involves verifying you're the account holder.
- It's worth double-checking the new email is correctly entered and accessible.
What this means
Email forms part of your contact information on your SHA account. It can be used for notifications and, in some cases, account-related communication, so keeping it current matters similarly to keeping your phone number current.
Why your email matters on your SHA account
Contact details, including email, are part of what links your SHA account to you and how you're reached. If your email is wrong, outdated, or belongs to an account you no longer check, you could miss communications relevant to your SHA record.
Common reasons people need to update it
People often need to update their email after changing jobs (if a work email was initially used), losing access to an old email account, or simply realising it was entered incorrectly at registration. None of these are unusual, and the update process exists specifically to handle them.
What to keep in mind when updating
Because email, like other contact details, is tied to verifying who you are, updating it typically involves some form of identity confirmation. It's worth making sure the new email you provide is one you'll keep using and that it's entered without typos, since a repeated mistake defeats the purpose of the update.
Why you may be seeing it
- You no longer have access to the email on your SHA account
- Your email was entered incorrectly at registration
- You previously used a work email and have since changed jobs
- You're not receiving notifications you expect from SHA
Common situations
Common scenario
Lost access to an old email
Someone who can no longer log into the email address linked to their SHA account may need it updated to a new, currently accessible one to avoid missing notifications.
Common scenario
Typo at registration
A person who notices their email address has a small spelling mistake from registration may want it corrected so future communication actually reaches them.
What information may matter
- Which email address is currently linked to your account
- Whether you still have access to it
- The correct new email address you want to use going forward
What you can check
- Confirm the email currently showing on your account, if you're able to view it.
- Make sure the replacement email is one you actively use and will keep.
- Double-check the new email is typed correctly before submitting any change.
- Keep an eye out afterward for any confirmation of the update.
Common mistakes
- Entering a new email with a typo and not noticing until communications are missed.
- Using a temporary or rarely checked email address for the update.
- Not confirming whether the update actually went through.
When assistance may be useful
If you're unsure how to go about updating your email on SHA, or the process isn't going through, SHA Desk can help you understand what's needed.
WhatsApp SHA DeskCommon questions
Why would SHA need my email at all?
It's used as part of your contact details, alongside your phone number, for notifications and account-related purposes.
What if I can't access my old email anymore?
That's a common reason for updating it — the update process exists for situations like this.
Will changing my email affect my phone number on file?
No, they're separate contact details and updating one doesn't change the other.
Official sources & references
Official procedures, requirements and benefits are set by the relevant authorities and can change.
By SHA Desk · Managed by Cyber Kenya
Published 7 October 2026. SHA Desk is an independent assistance service — not SHA, the Digital Health Agency or a government office. About SHA Desk