New Feature Lets Users Connect Without Revealing Their Personal Number
WhatsApp is taking a major step toward improving user privacy with the introduction of usernames, a long-awaited feature that will allow people to connect without sharing their phone numbers.
The messaging platform announced that users can begin reserving their preferred usernames this week, ahead of the feature’s official rollout later this year. Once available, usernames will serve as an alternative way for people to find and contact one another, helping protect personal phone numbers from being shared with strangers.
A Safer Way to Meet New People
The new feature is designed for everyday situations where exchanging a phone number may feel too personal, such as connecting with classmates, neighbours, people met at events, or joining community and school group chats.
Instead of handing over a personal number, users will be able to share a unique WhatsApp username, making it easier to start conversations while maintaining greater privacy.
The update is expected to be particularly useful for users joining large group chats, where phone numbers are often visible to people they have never met.
Reserve Your Username Before the Global Rollout
With more than three billion users worldwide, WhatsApp says many names naturally overlap. To avoid disappointment, the company is allowing users to reserve their usernames in advance before the feature officially launches.
Users can choose a unique username or use WhatsApp’s built-in username generator if their preferred option is unavailable.
For creators, businesses and organisations, WhatsApp will also provide the option to claim the same username they already use on Instagram or Facebook, helping them maintain a consistent online identity across Meta’s platforms.
Privacy Remains at the Centre of the Feature
Unlike traditional social media platforms, WhatsApp says usernames have been designed with privacy in mind.
There will be no searchable public directory or username suggestions. Instead, someone will need to know a user’s exact username before they can initiate a conversation for the first time.
The platform is also introducing an optional username key, providing an additional layer of protection by requiring new contacts to know both the username and the security key before sending a message.
Phone Numbers Will Stay Hidden
Once usernames become available, users who enable the feature will no longer expose their phone numbers when messaging a person or business for the first time.
The move represents one of WhatsApp’s biggest privacy upgrades in recent years, giving users greater control over how they connect with others while reducing the need to share personal contact information.
How to Reserve a Username
Users running the latest version of WhatsApp can reserve a username by navigating to:
Settings > Account > Username
WhatsApp says usernames will be rolled out gradually over the coming months, with users receiving an in-app notification when the feature becomes available in their country.
