WhatsApp users will soon have a new way to connect without sharing their personal phone numbers, as the messaging platform introduces usernames designed to give people more privacy and control over who can contact them.

The company has announced that users can begin reserving their preferred WhatsApp usernames ahead of the feature’s official rollout later this year.

The move addresses a long-standing privacy concern among users who often have to share their phone numbers to start conversations, even with people they may not know well.

Whether it is meeting a new colleague, joining a community group, connecting with a parent on a school sports chat or interacting with a new contact at an event, sharing a personal number has often been viewed as a major step.

WhatsApp says usernames will provide an alternative by allowing people to connect without immediately revealing their phone number.

“Sometimes you just want to chat without handing over your digits,” the company said while announcing the new feature.

The introduction of usernames is expected to change how people interact on the platform, especially for large groups, businesses, creators and communities where users may want to communicate while maintaining greater privacy.

Early Reservation Opens

With more than three billion people using WhatsApp globally, the company says it is opening username reservations early to give users a better chance of securing names that are meaningful to them.

The early reservation process is aimed at reducing duplication, as many popular names may already be taken.

Users will be able to choose unique usernames that others must know before they can contact them for the first time.

WhatsApp says there will not be a public directory where people can search through usernames, nor will the platform suggest usernames to strangers.

This means users will maintain control over who can find and contact them.

More Privacy Controls

The username feature is part of WhatsApp’s broader effort to strengthen privacy.

Once usernames are activated, people messaging a user or business for the first time will no longer see their phone number, provided the user has enabled the username feature.

To add another layer of control, WhatsApp is introducing an optional username key.

The feature will allow users to require an additional code before someone can message them through their username.

This is expected to be useful for people who want to share their username publicly but still limit unwanted messages.

Businesses and Creators Can Keep Their Identity

The new feature also targets businesses, creators and organisations that want consistency across digital platforms.

WhatsApp says some users will have the option to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook username on WhatsApp.

This will help brands and public figures maintain a recognisable online identity across Meta-owned platforms.

For small businesses that rely on WhatsApp for customer communication, usernames could offer a simpler way for customers to find and contact them without exposing personal phone numbers.

How to Reserve a Username

Users who want to reserve a WhatsApp username can do so by updating to the latest version of WhatsApp and following these steps:

Settings → Account → Username

WhatsApp says the rollout will happen gradually over the coming months, with users receiving notifications inside the app when the feature becomes available in their country.

The company has not announced a universal launch date but says usernames will become available progressively.

The introduction marks another step in WhatsApp’s evolution from a simple messaging service into a broader communication platform where privacy, identity and digital presence are increasingly important.