WhatsApp has officially announced one of its most requested features: usernames. The update will allow people to communicate with others without having to share their personal phone numbers, giving users more privacy while still requiring a phone number to create and maintain a WhatsApp account.
The Meta-owned messaging platform has been developing the feature for several years. Starting today, eligible users can begin reserving their usernames ahead of a broader rollout that is expected later this year.
Reserve a unique username
Once the feature becomes available in your region, you can choose a unique username between 3 and 35 characters. WhatsApp says most usernames will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, while certain names are being reserved for well-known public figures, celebrities, organizations, and brands to help prevent impersonation.
Businesses and content creators who already use the same username on Facebook or Instagram will also be able to claim that name on WhatsApp, making it easier to maintain a consistent identity across Meta's platforms.
Users will receive a notification when username reservations become available in their country. After that, they can create one by navigating to Settings > Account > Username.
More privacy when meeting new people
One of the biggest advantages of usernames is that they let users start conversations without exposing their phone numbers. Instead of giving someone your number, you can simply share your username.
WhatsApp says this feature is designed for situations where users may not feel comfortable immediately sharing personal contact information, such as meeting someone at school, work, conferences, or social events.
Speaking about the update, Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp's Vice President and Head of Product, explained the thinking behind the feature.
"When you meet someone new, whether it’s a classmate, a neighbour, or someone you met at an event, sharing your phone number can feel like a big step. Your phone number is personal, and it’s tied to so many other parts of your life," she said.
"So usernames are designed to give you control of who gets to see your phone number in the first place."
Usernames won't be searchable
Unlike social media platforms, WhatsApp usernames won't appear in a public search directory. People will only be able to contact you if they already know your exact username.
To add another layer of privacy, WhatsApp is also introducing an optional username key, which users can enable so that others must know both their username and the additional key before starting a conversation.
The company says users will remain in full control of the feature. You can change your username whenever you want or disable it entirely if you prefer to continue using your phone number for contacts.
Designed for a platform with more than 3 billion users
Meta says the reservation system is necessary because WhatsApp now has more than 3 billion users worldwide. Allowing people to reserve usernames before the full rollout helps reduce the chances of duplicate names and impersonation.
For now, users will have to share their usernames manually by typing or telling someone what it is. WhatsApp has confirmed that there is currently no QR code option for connecting with someone using only a username.
Catching up with rival messaging apps
Several competing messaging platforms, including Telegram, Signal, and Wire, have supported usernames for years, allowing users to communicate without revealing their phone numbers.
With this update, WhatsApp is finally bringing a similar privacy-focused feature to its massive global user base. The rollout begins with username reservations, while the complete feature is expected to become available to all users later this year.
