WhatsApp has begun rolling out a username feature in phases, giving some users the option to create a unique handle instead of sharing a phone number. The feature is being introduced gradually and is not yet available to all users.
The company frames the change as a response to situations where sharing a phone number can feel too personal, such as meeting new acquaintances or joining group conversations with people one does not know well. WhatsApp argues that a phone number is closely tied to many aspects of a person’s life, and that some users may prefer an intermediary layer of identity before disclosing it.
Usernames on WhatsApp will function as an optional identifier that people can choose to share instead of their mobile number. Meta says most users are expected to select a username that is unique and known only to people they want to be reachable by, and the app will offer a built-in username generator for those who need help picking one. With more than three billion people on WhatsApp, the company has opened reservations in advance to give users a better chance of securing a handle that matters to them.
The company is also targeting creators, small businesses and organizations that want a consistent identity across Meta’s platforms. For these users, WhatsApp has created an option to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook username on the messaging app, allowing them to maintain a unified presence online.
Meta positions usernames as part of a broader effort to increase privacy on WhatsApp. There will be no public directory or suggestion system, and people will need to know a username exactly in order to contact someone for the first time. An additional optional “username key” can be required so that only those who know both the username and the key are able to initiate a conversation.
Once the feature goes live, if a user has enabled a username, people and businesses they message for the first time will see the username instead of the underlying phone number. WhatsApp says reserving a username takes only a few seconds on the latest version of the app, via the Settings, Account, and Username menu path. The company plans to roll out usernames gradually over the coming months and will notify users in-app when the feature becomes available in their country.
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