Ever since WhatsApp became part of our daily lives, starting a conversation has almost always meant sharing your phone number. While that has worked for years, it has also meant giving away a personal piece of information every time you wanted to chat with someone new. Now, that is finally changing. Bringing one of the first major privacy-focused updates, new WhatsApp CEO Kunal Shah has introduced usernames.
The Meta-owned messaging platform has officially announced usernames, a new feature that lets people connect using a unique username instead of their mobile number. And if you already have a username in mind, WhatsApp says now is the time to reserve it.
The announcement comes as WhatsApp begins rolling out username reservations globally from June 29, ahead of the feature’s wider release later this year. Users will receive a notification inside the app when the option becomes available in their region.
In an official post on X, WhatsApp CEO Kunal Shah revealed that he had already claimed his username before the public rollout. “Timing is everything. Joined WhatsApp early enough to claim my username before we release this to the world. Time to get yours,” Shah wrote, encouraging users to reserve their preferred names before they become unavailable.
So, why does WhatsApp suddenly need usernames?
The main reason according to the company is privacy.
WhatsApp says there are plenty of situations where people may want to stay in touch without revealing their personal phone numbers. Whether it’s someone you meet at a networking event, a new classmate, a neighbour, or even parents in your child’s football team group, sharing your phone number can sometimes feel like sharing more personal information than you’d like.
With usernames, WhatsApp users will simply be able to share a unique name instead of their phone number. The company says this isn’t meant to be another social media handle but rather a privacy-first way to communicate. Unlike Instagram or X, there won’t be a public directory where people can browse usernames, nor will WhatsApp suggest usernames to others. Someone will need to know your exact username before they can message you for the first time.
What is the WhatsApp Username Key?
WhatsApp is also adding another layer of protection through something called a Username Key. This optional security feature lets users create an additional key that first-time contacts must enter before they can send a message using a username. The company says the key can be changed at any time, giving users even more control over who can reach them.
How to reserve your WhatsApp username
You can right now reserve your username by following these steps:
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Account.
- Select Username.
- Choose an available username and confirm it.
Meanwhile, creators, businesses and organisations will be able to claim usernames that match their existing Instagram or Facebook accounts where possible.
WhatsApp says usernames can be up to 35 characters long and will follow certain naming rules. Users will also be able to update, remove or change their username at any time. The company adds that usernames linked to well-known public figures and celebrities will be reserved to reduce impersonation.
Do note that your existing chats won’t change. Your current contacts will continue to message you as they do today, while features such as blocking, reporting and end-to-end encryption will continue to work as before.
When will the feature roll out?
The rollout will happen gradually over the next few months, so not everyone will see the feature immediately. WhatsApp says users will receive an in-app notification once username reservations become available in their region, while the full feature will be introduced later this year.
