Meta-owned WhatsApp on Monday announced the start of global reservations for usernames, a major privacy feature designed to help users connect without sharing their phone numbers.
Username reservations begin rolling out globally from June 29, allowing users to create and reserve a username before the feature becomes available in the app later this year. Users will receive an in-app notification once the option is available in their region.
“A username is a way for you to connect with someone on WhatsApp without giving away your phone number. You choose your own, and it doesn’t have to match your handle on any other app,” WhatsApp said in a statement.
According to the company, usernames are meant to be unique and known only to the people users want to connect with. Unlike social media platforms, there will be no public directory or username suggestions, meaning people will need to know your exact username to message you for the first time.
“The main purpose is privacy. Your phone number is protected, and you can now share your unique username instead of your digits,” WhatsApp said.
What is the WhatsApp Username Key?
To offer an additional layer of protection, WhatsApp is introducing an optional Username Key. Users can create a key that first-time contacts must enter before they can send a message using the username. The key can be changed at any time, giving users greater control over who can contact them.
How to reserve your WhatsApp username
Users can reserve their username by following these steps:
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Account.
- Select Username.
- Choose an available username and confirm it.
Usernames can be up to 35 characters long and must follow WhatsApp’s naming guidelines. Users will be able to update, remove or change their username at any time.
Meanwhile, creators, businesses and organisations will be able to claim usernames that match their existing Instagram or Facebook accounts where possible. Usernames linked to well-known public figures and celebrities will also be reserved to reduce impersonation.
Last week, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that CRED founder Kunal Shah will join Meta as WhatsApp’s next global CEO. Meta is also investing around $900 million (nearly Rs 8,550 crore) in fintech company CRED.
In an official post on X, WhatsApp CEO Kunal Shah revealed that he had already claimed his username before the public rollout.
“Timing is everything. Joined WhatsApp early enough to claim my username before we release this to the world. Time to get yours,” Shah wrote.
WhatsApp said usernames are especially useful in situations where users want to stay connected without revealing personal phone numbers, such as networking events, classrooms, neighbourhood groups or parents’ communities.
The company clarified that existing chats will remain unchanged. Current contacts can continue messaging as usual, while features such as end-to-end encryption, blocking and reporting will continue to work as before.
When will the feature roll out?
The rollout will happen gradually over the next few months, with the complete feature expected to be available later this year. WhatsApp says users will receive an in-app notification once username reservations are available in their region.
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