WhatsApp Introduces Usernames to Boost Privacy

WhatsApp has announced a new feature that will allow users to start conversations without sharing their phone numbers, marking a major step towards improving privacy and giving people greater control over their personal information.

The WhatsApp username feature began rolling out globally on Monday, 29 June, with username reservations opening ahead of the full launch expected later this year. Once available, users who activate the feature will be able to communicate with new contacts using a unique username instead of revealing their phone number.

According to Meta, the update is designed to strengthen privacy for more than three billion WhatsApp users worldwide. The company said the feature will make it easier for people to chat with classmates, neighbours, event participants, and community group members without exposing their personal phone numbers.

“When someone new walks into your life, sharing a phone number can feel like a big step because a phone number is personal and tied to so many parts of your life. Sometimes you just want to chat without handing over your digits.”

WhatsApp explained that users can reserve their preferred username before the feature becomes widely available. It also clarified that the WhatsApp username feature is intended to improve privacy rather than function like a social media profile.

“There is no directory to browse and no suggestions. People will need to know your exact username to contact you for the first time,” the company said.

To provide additional security, WhatsApp is introducing an optional username key that requires first-time contacts to enter a unique code before sending a message. The platform has also created a username generator to help users find available names.

For creators, businesses, and organisations, WhatsApp will allow matching usernames already used on Instagram or Facebook, helping maintain a consistent identity across Meta’s platforms. Users can reserve a username by updating the app and navigating to Settings > Account > Username. The WhatsApp username feature will continue rolling out gradually over the coming months.