WhatsApp on Monday announced the rollout of usernames, a new privacy-focused feature that will allow users to connect without sharing their phone numbers. While the feature will be introduced gradually later this year, users can begin reserving their preferred usernames starting this week.
The Meta-owned messaging platform said the feature is designed to provide a more private way to connect, particularly when messaging new contacts or participating in group conversations.
“A phone number is personal and it’s tied to so many parts of your life. Sometimes, you just want to chat without handing over your digits,” WhatsApp said in a blog post.
“With over three billion people on WhatsApp, a lot of names overlap, which is why we're opening reservations early so everyone has the opportunity to select the username that matters to them,” the company added.
WhatsApp will also allow creators, small businesses and organisations to claim the same username they already use on Instagram or Facebook, making it easier to maintain a consistent identity across Meta's platforms.
To protect user privacy, WhatsApp said there will be no searchable directory or username suggestions. Users will need to know a person's exact username to initiate a conversation for the first time.
The platform is also introducing an optional username key, an added layer of privacy that users can enable to control who can contact them using their username.
Users can reserve a username by updating to the latest version of WhatsApp and navigating to Settings > Account > Username.
The company said usernames will be rolled out in phases over the coming months, and users will receive an in-app notification once the feature becomes available in their country.
