WhatsApp lets users reserve usernames, replacing phone-number visibility later this year

Discover how WhatsApp's introduction of usernames is set to enhance user privacy and foster deeper connections, transforming the way we communicate on the platform.

WhatsApp now lets users reserve usernames ahead of the feature’s full rollout, making it possible to connect without sharing a phone number once usernames go live.

WhatsApp boosts user privacy with username, allowing anonymity in interactions. New business tools improve customer engagement without showing phone numbers.

WhatsApp on Monday announced that it is now allowing users to reserve their usernames on the instant messaging platform, in preparation for the upcoming feature, which will allow you to search for other known and unknown WhatsApp users, bringing the instant messaging platform closer to how other social media platforms, like Instagram, function. Confirmed to roll out soon, the feature will eliminate the need for you to share phone numbers with other users to allow them to contact you via WhatsApp. You will be able to simply share your usernames with others, and they will then be able to search for you within the app. However, if you do not want everyone to contact you, you can choose to set a unique username key. Others will not be able to contact you if they do not have this key.

WhatsApp is introducing usernames, allowing users to chat without sharing their phone numbers. The optional feature marks one of the biggest changes in the messaging app's history, which has relied entirely on phone numbers since its launch.Rivals such as Telegram and Signal have offered username-based identities for years, but WhatsApp has so far resisted moving away from phone number-based communication.The Meta-owned platform has already opened username reservations globally ahead of a wider rollout later this year. With more than three billion users worldwide and an estimated 850 million in India, the feature could significantly change how people interact on the app.The update, however, has also raised concerns about scams and impersonation. Here's what users need to know.What are WhatsApp usernames?WhatsApp usernames are an additional identity layer that sits on top of a user's phone number. Instead of giving someone your mobile number, you can choose to share your username and let people contact you that way.The feature is designed primarily as a privacy tool. Once usernames are fully rolled out, users who message or call someone for the first time will not automatically reveal their phone number, provided the recipient does not already have it saved in their contacts.The change could prove useful in situations such as meeting someone at a conference, joining a community group, interacting with businesses, or connecting with people you do not know personally.However, the introduction of usernames does not mean phone numbers are disappearing from WhatsApp. A phone number will still be required to create and use a WhatsApp account. People who already have your number saved will continue to see and contact you through it.How will usernames work?Users can choose a unique username that others can use to find and contact them. Usernames must be between three and 35 characters long and can contain Latin letters, numbers, periods and underscores.WhatsApp will not allow usernames that consist entirely of numbers, nor will it permit restricted words and phrases. Every username will automatically begin with an "@" symbol, allowing users to distinguish usernames from display names and phone numbers.People who struggle to find an available username can use a built-in username generator that suggests unique alternatives.Users will also have the option to change or delete their username at any time. If a username is deleted, other people will once again see the person's phone number in situations where it would otherwise remain hidden. WhatsApp says users will have 14 days to reclaim a deleted username.How can someone contact another user through a username?When the feature becomes widely available, people will be able to enter a person's exact username into WhatsApp to start a conversation. Unlike Instagram, Facebook or Telegram, however, WhatsApp will not provide a searchable directory of usernames or suggest matching accounts as users type. This means people will need to know the precise username of the person they want to contact.The company is also introducing an additional security measure called a "username key". Users can set this key and require unknown contacts to enter it before they can send a message for the first time. The key can be changed whenever the user wants.How can users reserve a username?To reserve a username:Open WhatsApp -> Go to Settings -> Tap Account -> Select Username.The company has opened reservations before the full launch because of its enormous user base, which now exceeds three billion users globally. With millions of people likely to choose similar names, reserving early gives users a better chance of securing the username they want.Users can also choose their Instagram or Facebook username, but with a condition. Meta is reserving existing Facebook and Instagram usernames during the reservation period and for a limited period afterwards. Users who want the same username across platforms will have to link their WhatsApp account to Meta's Accounts Centre.Accounts Centre acts as a central hub for settings, security and connected experiences across Meta's apps, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads.Meta says linking accounts may allow it to personalise experiences and deliver more relevant content and advertisements across its services. However, the company has maintained that personal messages and calls on WhatsApp will remain end-to-end encrypted and that WhatsApp contact lists will not be shared with other Meta companies.If multiple people use the same username across Facebook and Instagram, the handle on WhatsApp will go to whoever claims it first.Users who do not want to link their accounts can instead choose a different username that exists only on WhatsApp.Safety and impersonation concernsThe rollout has also raised concerns about scams and impersonation, particularly in India, WhatsApp's largest market with an estimated 850 million users.Entrepreneur Ankur Warikoo questioned whether adequate safeguards are in place to prevent fraudsters from creating deceptive usernames that resemble those of well-known personalities. He argued that many users do not pay close attention to verification indicators and could be vulnerable to impersonation attempts. He also warned that username-based identities could create new opportunities for scammers if strong anti-abuse systems are not in place.In a country such as India, this could be a disaster, if the right anti-abuse systems are not set up by WhatsApp.Imagine receiving a message from warikoo / awarikoo / ankurwarikooo / ankur_warikoo / a_warikoo / ankurwarikooofficial etc etc - soliciting money. 1. Most people… https://t.co/AaiH7F1szN— Ankur Warikoo (@warikoo) June 30, 2026 Jasveer Singh, co-founder and chief executive of KnotDating, also expressed concerns, saying phone numbers provide at least one identifiable piece of information that can be reported when suspicious messages appear.Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder of Paytm, also suggested that verified usernames may eventually be accompanied by numerous similar-looking, unverified alternatives, potentially making it harder for users to distinguish genuine accounts from fake ones.However, WhatsApp says it has built several safeguards into the system. Names associated with public figures, celebrities, government entities and verified Meta accounts are being reserved so that they can only be claimed by their legitimate owners. The company is also restricting certain lookalike variations of known names.The platform says its automated systems will detect and remove accounts displaying common patterns of impersonation and abuse. It also plans to limit how many new people an account can contact through usernames and block repeated attempts to guess someone's username key.WhatsApp has also imposed restrictions on how frequently users can change their usernames and says it will revoke usernames or ban accounts if it detects impersonation or scams.How can users verify unknown contacts?When users receive a message from someone they do not know, WhatsApp will display a details card with additional information.The card may show whether the account is newly created, whether the person is messaging from another country and whether the two users share any groups. Users can then choose to add the person as a contact, block them or report them.WhatsApp also suggests that users can place a voice or video call within the app to verify a person's identity before sharing sensitive information or responding to requests.For contacts already saved on a user's phone, WhatsApp will continue to display the saved contact name instead of the person's username.This piece was republished from The News Minute as part of The News Minute-Newslaundry alliance. Read about our partnership here and become a subscriber here.Takedown orders surge on Meta amid crackdown on posts mocking Modi58% news from YouTube, 56% via WhatsApp: Reuters report on India’s news consumption habits

The government is preparing to review WhatsApp’s newly introduced username feature following concerns that it could increase the risk of impersonation, according to PTI sources. The development comes shortly after the Meta-owned messaging platform announced the feature, which allows users to hide their phone numbers and instead communicate using usernames.WhatsApp announced on June 29 that users globally will soon be able to reserve usernames. The company described the move as a major shift in how communication works on the platform, which has more than three billion users worldwide.The government's scrutiny of the recently-announced feature comes days after restrictions were imposed on Telegram ahead of the NEET re-examination last month. The messaging app was banned from June 16 to June 22 amid concerns that groups on the platform could be used to leak medical entrance examination papers.The government had alleged that Telegram failed to act against such groups despite concerns raised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).Long Development TimelineThe feature has been under development for several years. Early indications appeared in May 2023, while Meta formally announced plans for username support in October 2024 and informed developers and business partners in November that a full rollout is expected in June 2026. WhatsApp Opens Username Reservations For 3 Billion Users: Here's How You Can Chat With Others Without Sharing Your Phone NumberAccording to WhatsApp, the large user base has resulted in significant overlap in names, prompting the company to allow early username reservations so users can secure preferred identifiers before the feature is fully launched later this year. The rollout will be phased, and users will be notified when reservations become available. In a country such as India, this could be a disaster, if the right anti-abuse systems are not set up by WhatsApp.Imagine receiving a message from warikoo / awarikoo / ankurwarikooo / ankur_warikoo / a_warikoo / ankurwarikooofficial etc etc - soliciting money. 1. Most people… https://t.co/AaiH7F1szN— Ankur Warikoo (@warikoo) June 30, 2026 Usernames on WhatsApp will be between three and 35 characters long and may include Latin letters, numbers, underscores, and periods.Privacy Enhancement Feature: WhatsAppThe company has positioned the feature as a privacy enhancement, aimed at reducing the need for users to share phone numbers. Unlike social media handles, WhatsApp usernames will not appear in public directories or be suggested to others. Instead, users will need to know the exact username to initiate contact.Once the feature is active, phone numbers will no longer be visible to first-time contacts if a username is enabled. Users will also have the option to set a “username key,” which adds another layer of control over who can reach them, and this key can be changed at any time.They don’t care..Team Zuckerberg’s only goal is to extract as much money as possible. They willingly let scams and fraud ads run on their other platforms. Now they’ll probably let the same happen on WhatsApp. pic.twitter.com/41MZeZ2rTr— Dhruv Rathee (@dhruv_rathee) June 30, 2026 WhatsApp also plans to support businesses by offering a privacy-focused way to interact with customers using usernames. Creators, organisations, and small businesses will be able to align their WhatsApp usernames with their existing Instagram or Facebook handles for consistency across Meta platforms.India, WhatsApp’s largest market with over 500 million users, is expected to be significantly impacted by this change, making regulatory scrutiny particularly important.