WhatsApp to Introduce Usernames, Eliminating Phone Number Sharing for Chats

WhatsApp is set to launch a new feature that will allow users to communicate without exchanging phone numbers, opting instead for a reserved username. This update, designed as a core privacy enhancement, is scheduled for a global rollout over the coming months. The app has begun offering username reservation options to select users in the UK this week, indicating a phased implementation rather than an immediate, widespread release.

Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp's vice president of product, stated that the username feature will require individuals to know a specific username to initiate contact for the first time. With over three billion global account holders, the company is opening username reservations early to allow users ample opportunity to secure their desired handles. Companies, organizations, and creators with existing accounts on Meta platforms like Instagram and Facebook will also be able to claim their corresponding usernames on WhatsApp.

Usernames must be between three and 35 characters long. To mitigate impersonation risks, WhatsApp will reserve usernames for high-profile individuals and groups, including celebrities, public figures, and government entities. Users will be notified directly within the app when the username reservation feature becomes available to them. The rollout is proceeding gradually by country and account, meaning not all users will see the option immediately after updating their app.

In a blog post announcing the feature, WhatsApp explained that sharing a phone number can feel intrusive, especially when meeting new people. The introduction of usernames aims to provide a less personal way to connect. The app has also developed a username generator to assist users in creating unique handles. For enhanced control over who can message a user via their username, an optional "username key" can be implemented. This key must be provided by the sender before their first message can be sent to a user who has enabled the setting. However, this key is not required for individuals who already have the user's phone number or are in a shared group with them.

Users will have the ability to change or delete their reserved username at any time. Such changes may make the username available for others to claim. The feature remains optional, with users still able to share their phone numbers if they choose. Current privacy controls on WhatsApp are limited to blocking specific users and silencing calls from unknown numbers. The app also allows for a profile name, which is visible primarily within group chats for contacts not saved by other users.