WhatsApp is introducing a new feature that will allow users to connect with others by exchanging usernames instead of revealing their phone numbers.
The Meta-owned messaging platform said the update will gradually roll out globally to billions of users over the coming months.
The feature is designed to give users more control over how they share their identity, especially when joining group chats or communicating with people they do not know personally.
Users can reserve and change usernames
WhatsApp users will be able to reserve their preferred usernames through the app once the feature becomes available on their accounts.
The company said choosing a username will not be compulsory and users can remove or update it whenever they want.
Usernames will have a limit of 35 characters, while some names linked to public figures, officials and celebrities may be restricted to prevent impersonation.
Phone numbers will remain private
After the feature is fully activated, users will be able to connect with others without exposing their phone numbers.
However, a phone number will still be required to create a WhatsApp account.
The platform said there will not be a public directory where people can search for usernames, and users will continue to have options to block or report unwanted messages.
WhatsApp highlights privacy benefits
WhatsApp’s head of product, Alice Newton-Rex, said many users had expressed concerns about sharing their phone numbers, particularly in group conversations.
The company described usernames as a privacy tool that allows people to decide how they appear to others on the platform.
WhatsApp also said it has security measures in place to reduce abuse and scams, including optional username keys that can require users to share an additional code before someone can contact them.
Experts raise privacy questions
While the new feature has been welcomed as a privacy improvement, some experts have questioned WhatsApp’s wider data practices.
Privacy researchers have pointed out that WhatsApp still collects certain account and usage information as part of Meta’s broader services.
Messages on WhatsApp remain protected through end-to-end encryption, meaning the company cannot access the content of private chats.
How to reserve a WhatsApp username
Users interested in reserving a username will need to check their account or profile settings once the option becomes available.
WhatsApp said the rollout will happen gradually, and users should ensure they have the latest version of the app installed.
The username reservation option will initially be available through the mobile app and not through WhatsApp Web or Desktop.