WhatsApp today announced the introduction of Usernames, a new privacy feature that will allow people to connect without sharing their phone number.
Ahead of the official rollout later this year, users can now reserve their preferred username, giving everyone the opportunity to secure the username they want before the feature becomes widely available.
Once launched, usernames will enable people to start new conversations using a username instead of a phone number, offering an added layer of privacy when connecting with new contacts, joining community or group chats, or interacting with businesses and creators.
To protect user privacy, WhatsApp has built several safeguards into the feature. There will be no searchable username directory or username suggestions, meaning someone must know your exact username before they can message you for the first time.
For creators, businesses, and organisations, WhatsApp will also provide the option to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook username, making it easier to maintain a consistent identity across Meta’s family of apps.
To reserve a username, users should update to the latest version of WhatsApp and go to Settings > Account > Username. The feature will roll out gradually over the coming months.