New privacy feature will allow users to connect without sharing their mobile numbers as Meta begins phased global rollout
By Our Technology Correspondent
June 30: WhatsApp has begun rolling out username reservations, marking one of the biggest privacy updates in the messaging platform’s history. The new feature will allow users to communicate using a unique username instead of sharing their phone number with new contacts.
The feature, announced by Meta, is being introduced in phases and is expected to become widely available later this year. Users will be able to reserve a unique username while continuing to use WhatsApp with their existing phone number if they choose.
According to Meta, the update is designed to give users greater control over their personal information. The company said sharing a phone number can sometimes feel intrusive, particularly when interacting with classmates, neighbours, event participants, or community groups. The username system offers an alternative way to start conversations without immediately revealing a mobile number.
WhatsApp, which serves more than three billion users across over 180 countries, said the feature is entirely optional. Existing users can continue using the platform exactly as before, and contacts who already have a person’s phone number will not experience any change.
Users with the latest version of WhatsApp will be able to reserve a username through the Account section in Settings once the feature becomes available in their region. Meta has also included a username suggestion tool to help users find available names. Businesses, creators and organisations are expected to have the option of using the same username across WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook, providing a consistent identity across Meta’s platforms.
To strengthen privacy, WhatsApp said there will be no public directory of usernames. People will need to know a user’s exact username before initiating contact, reducing the risk of unwanted messages. The company is also introducing an optional username key that users can share to further control who can message them for the first time.
Meta said certain usernames will be reserved for governments, public figures and verified organisations to reduce the risk of impersonation. Users will also be free to change or delete their usernames, although a released username may later become available to another user.
According to WhatsApp’s published guidelines and earlier beta testing, usernames must contain between three and 35 characters, include at least one letter, and may consist only of lowercase letters, numbers, periods and underscores. Usernames cannot begin with “www.” or end with common internet domain extensions such as “.com” or “.net”, measures intended to reduce phishing and impersonation attempts.
The introduction of usernames forms part of Meta’s broader effort to enhance privacy across its messaging services. The company has stated that the rollout will continue gradually over the coming months, with users receiving in-app notifications when the feature becomes available in their respective regions.
