WhatsApp has officially announced a long-awaited username feature that will allow users to connect with others without revealing their personal phone numbers, marking one of the platform’s biggest privacy upgrades in years. The new feature will be rolled out gradually to the messaging app’s more than 3 billion users worldwide over the coming months.
Starting this week, eligible users will be able to reserve a unique username through the latest version of WhatsApp. The feature is optional, meaning users can continue using their phone numbers if they prefer. Once usernames become available, people will be able to start conversations simply by sharing their username instead of their mobile number, making it easier to protect personal information when chatting with new contacts.
According to Meta-owned WhatsApp, usernames can contain between three and 35 characters. Users will have the flexibility to change or remove their username at any time. The company is also introducing a username generator to help users find available names if their preferred choice has already been taken.
To reduce the risk of impersonation and online fraud, WhatsApp said usernames belonging to celebrities, public figures, government officials, and major organizations have been reserved and will not be available for public registration. Businesses and creators will also be able to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook usernames to maintain a consistent online identity across Meta’s platforms.
Unlike social media platforms, WhatsApp emphasized that there will be no public directory of usernames. Users will need to know someone’s exact username before initiating a conversation, helping prevent unwanted messages and preserving privacy. Existing tools to block and report spam or abusive accounts will remain available, while an optional “username key” is also being introduced for additional protection against unsolicited contacts.
The rollout comes as privacy concerns continue to shape messaging platforms. While the feature has been welcomed for reducing the need to share personal phone numbers, it has also attracted regulatory scrutiny in some markets over the potential risks of impersonation and cyber fraud. WhatsApp says it has built multiple safeguards into the system to balance user privacy with platform security.