WhatsApp has started a phased beta rollout of usernames on Android and iOS, giving select users a way to be contacted without sharing their phone number, according to WABetainfo. The update lets people create a unique handle that can be used for messaging or discovery, keeping the underlying mobile number hidden from new contacts.
The usernames are currently limited to 3 – 35 characters and can include lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Some users in the beta may also see an optional four‑digit username key, designed to help filter or block unwanted messages. Because the rollout is still experimental, not all accounts yet have access to the option.
WhatsApp continues to require a phone number to register an account, so the username functions as a privacy layer rather than a full anonymization tool, WABetainfo notes. The change brings WhatsApp closer to identity controls seen on platforms like Telegram, where users can interact through aliases without exposing their personal number in every context.
The feature is expected to be particularly useful in group chats, marketplace‑style exchanges, and other scenarios where people communicate with others they do not know personally. Privacy and security advocates have long pushed for fewer mandatory phone‑number disclosures in messaging apps, and the username rollout aligns with broader platform efforts to offer more control over personal data.
The feature is being tested gradually, with wider availability likely only after the company evaluates performance and user feedback. For now, only a subset of beta users will see the username option inside the app’s settings.
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