WhatsApp has announced that it is rolling out an early reservation system for customizable usernames, marking one of the most significant privacy overhauls in the messaging app’s history.
With this announcement, sharing your personal cell phone number with a new acquaintance or a massive group chat might soon be a thing of the past.
For over a decade, the Meta-owned platform has required users to swap digits to connect. However, recognizing that a phone number is deeply tied to personal identity, security, and external accounts, WhatsApp is shifting toward a handle-based system similar to Discord, Telegram, or its sister app, Instagram.
Starting this week, users can head into their app settings to secure their preferred handle before the feature officially launches for messaging later this year. Because the platform boasts more than three billion users worldwide, WhatsApp is opening the reservation window early to mitigate the inevitable rush for highly sought-after names.
To claim a handle, users on the latest version of the app can navigate to Settings > Account > Username. The company noted that the rollout will be gradual, and users will receive an in-app notification when the feature goes live in their respective regions.
WhatsApp emphasized that usernames are designed with strict privacy constraints. Unlike public social networks, there will be no searchable directory or automated user suggestions. If someone wants to chat with you, they will need to know your exact handle.
For those seeking an extra layer of security, WhatsApp is introducing two key features:
- The “Username Key”: An optional PIN or passcode that strangers must enter alongside your username to initiate a chat.
- Number Masking: Once the feature fully launches, messaging a new contact or business using your username will completely hide your phone number.
For users struggling to find an available title, the app will include a built-in username generator.
To protect brands and public figures from identity theft, Meta is offering a streamlined verification process. Creators, small businesses, and organizations will have the option to instantly claim and mirror their existing Instagram or Facebook handles directly onto WhatsApp, ensuring continuity across the Meta ecosystem.
Existing chats and contacts will remain unaffected by the change, and usernames will remain entirely optional for those who prefer the traditional, phone-number-based setup.