WhatsApp, the Meta-owned messaging platform, has announced a new feature that will allow users to connect without sharing their phone numbers by introducing unique usernames. The feature is designed to offer a more private way to communicate, especially when interacting with new contacts or joining group conversations where sharing a personal phone number may not be desirable.
Username Reservations Open This Week
Starting this week, users can begin reserving usernames ahead of the feature's gradual rollout later this year. The company said opening reservations in advance gives users a fair opportunity to secure their preferred usernames before the feature becomes widely available.
Head of WhatsApp Kunal Shah shared the announcement on X, writing: "Timing is everything. Joined WhatsApp early enough to claim my username before we release this to the world. Time to get yours. A more private way to connect. Coming soon to your WhatsApp."
Why Usernames Matter for Privacy
In a blog post titled "It's time to reserve your WhatsApp username," the company explained that users often hesitate to share their phone numbers with people they have just met. "When someone new walks into your life—a classmate, a neighbour, someone you meet at an event—sharing a phone number can feel like a big step. That's because a phone number is personal and it's tied to so many parts of your life. Sometimes you just want to chat without handing over your digits," the company said.
WhatsApp noted that the same concern applies to group chats, where users may want to participate without revealing their personal phone numbers to strangers.
How to Reserve a Username
Users can reserve a username by updating to the latest version of WhatsApp and navigating to Settings > Account > Username. The platform advises users to choose a unique username that is known only to people they want to connect with. A built-in username generator will suggest available options if a preferred username has already been taken.
Creators, small businesses, and organizations will have the option to claim the same usernames they already use on Instagram or Facebook, helping maintain a consistent online identity across Meta's platforms.
Privacy Features and Rollout
Emphasizing privacy, WhatsApp said there will be "no directory to browse and no suggestions," meaning users will need to know someone's exact username to initiate contact. The company is also introducing an optional username key, which users can enable to add an extra layer of privacy by requiring a unique key before receiving a first message.
With more than three billion users globally, WhatsApp plans to roll out the feature gradually over the coming months. Users will receive an in-app notification when it becomes available in their country.
