WhatsApp is preparing to launch usernames, a new feature that will allow users to connect with others without revealing their phone numbers, marking one of the platform’s biggest privacy updates in recent years.
Meta announced that the feature will begin rolling out globally later this year. Ahead of the launch, some users are already being given the option to reserve their preferred usernames, increasing their chances of securing the name they want before the wider release.
The update brings WhatsApp in line with messaging platforms such as Telegram, Signal and Discord, which have long enabled users to communicate through usernames rather than phone numbers.
According to Meta, the feature is intended to give users greater control over their personal information, particularly when interacting with people they do not know well. It could prove useful for joining community groups, communicating with parents from children’s sports teams or staying in touch with people met at public events without disclosing a personal mobile number.
Once activated, users who choose to enable usernames can receive messages through their selected username instead of their phone number. Meta said there will be no public directory or searchable database of usernames, meaning anyone wishing to contact a user must already know the exact username.
To provide an additional level of security, WhatsApp is also introducing an optional Username Key. This feature will require anyone attempting to contact a user through a username to enter a unique key, reducing the likelihood of unwanted messages.
Businesses, content creators and organisations will also be able to reserve usernames that match their existing Instagram or Facebook accounts, allowing them to maintain a consistent identity across Meta’s platforms.
The reservation process is straightforward for users who already have access to the feature. After updating WhatsApp to the latest version through the App Store or Google Play, users can open the app, go to Settings, select Account and tap the Username option. They can then enter their preferred username or choose from suggestions generated by WhatsApp if the desired name has already been taken.
Meta said username reservations are being introduced gradually, meaning availability differs from one account to another. Even users with the latest version of WhatsApp may not immediately see the option because access is being enabled through a phased server-side rollout.
Users who do not yet have access are advised to keep their application updated and wait for an in-app notification, which WhatsApp said will be sent once the feature becomes available in their region.
The introduction of usernames is expected to strengthen privacy protections while making it easier for users to communicate without sharing personal contact details.
