Meta product WhatsApp has taken a major step towards strengthening user privacy by beginning the rollout of username reservations, allowing people to secure a unique identity that can eventually replace sharing their phone numbers when starting new conversations.
The feature is being introduced gradually and is expected to become available to users worldwide over the coming month of July.
The new system is designed to make connecting with new contacts more private. Instead of exchanging phone numbers, users will be able to share a unique username, reducing the amount of personal information exposed during first-time interactions. Once the feature is fully available, WhatsApp will hide users’ phone numbers from people who contact them through usernames, while existing contacts and conversations will continue to function normally.
To reserve a username, users need the latest version of WhatsApp. Those who have received access can navigate to Settings > Account > Username and choose an available handle. Since the rollout is phased, the option may not yet appear for everyone. WhatsApp says users will be notified once the feature reaches their accounts.
The company is also allowing creators, businesses and organizations to claim usernames that match their existing Instagram or Facebook identities, provided those names are available or reserved for their legitimate owners. At the same time, WhatsApp has reserved usernames associated with well-known public figures and organizations to reduce the risk of impersonation.
Unlike many social media platforms, WhatsApp will not offer a public directory or username search function. Users will need to know the exact username to initiate a conversation, a design choice intended to limit unwanted messages. An optional “username key” will provide an additional layer of protection by requiring a unique code before someone can send the first message.
The privacy-focused update represents one of WhatsApp’s biggest changes in recent years. While the service will still require a phone number to create an account, usernames are expected to make it easier for users to communicate with classmates, customers, event participants and other new contacts without immediately revealing their personal mobile numbers.
