In one of its most significant privacy upgrades in recent years, WhatsApp has announced the rollout of a username feature that will allow users to connect with others without revealing their phone numbers.
The Meta-owned messaging platform said the new feature will begin rolling out from this week, giving users the opportunity to reserve unique usernames before it becomes available worldwide later in the year. The update is expected to benefit the platform’s more than 3 billion users across the globe.
For the first time since WhatsApp launched in 2009, users will be able to start conversations using a unique username rather than sharing their personal mobile numbers. While a phone number will still be required to create a WhatsApp account, it will no longer be necessary when connecting with new contacts.
According to WhatsApp, the feature is designed to strengthen user privacy, especially when communicating with people met through community groups, business interactions, online marketplaces, or social events.
Explaining the reason behind the update, WhatsApp’s Vice President and Head of Product, Alice Newton-Rex, said sharing a personal phone number is not always comfortable when meeting someone for the first time.
She noted that the introduction of usernames gives users greater control over their privacy while maintaining the platform’s end-to-end encryption and security standards.
Eligible users will be able to reserve their preferred usernames directly within the app by navigating to Settings, selecting Account, and choosing the Username option once the feature becomes available.
WhatsApp said usernames must contain between three and 35 characters and comply with the platform’s naming guidelines. The company is also reserving usernames for public figures, celebrities, businesses, and organisations to reduce impersonation and identity fraud.
Unlike several social media platforms, WhatsApp will not create a searchable public directory of usernames. Instead, users will only be able to contact someone if they already know the person’s username, a measure aimed at reducing spam and unwanted messages.
The company is also introducing an optional security feature known as a username key, which enables users to require a unique verification code before anyone can initiate a conversation using their username.
Businesses and content creators are expected to benefit from the update as Meta plans to allow verified organisations to reserve usernames that match their existing Facebook and Instagram identities, ensuring consistent branding across its ecosystem.
Technology analysts believe the move brings WhatsApp closer to rivals such as Signal and Telegram, both of which have long offered username-based messaging as an additional layer of privacy.
The rollout will take place in phases, with username reservations beginning this week before the feature becomes available to users globally later in 2026.
