WhatsApp is preparing to roll out a new username feature that will allow users to connect without sharing their phone numbers, marking one of the platform's most significant privacy updates in recent years.
The Meta-owned messaging service said users will begin reserving unique usernames through the app starting Monday, with the global rollout reaching its nearly three billion users over the coming months. While creating a username will be optional, those who choose to do so will be able to change or remove it at any time.
Once the feature is fully implemented, users will be able to exchange usernames instead of phone numbers when starting conversations. WhatsApp said existing safety tools, including the ability to block or report unwanted contacts, will remain in place.
Usernames can contain up to 35 characters, although some names associated with prominent public figures and celebrities will be reserved to prevent impersonation.
The company described the update as a major step toward enhancing user privacy. According to WhatsApp, many users have requested a way to communicate particularly in group chats without revealing their personal phone numbers.
Despite the new feature, phone numbers will still be required to register a WhatsApp account, and there will be no public directory allowing users to search for usernames.
Privacy experts welcomed the additional layer of protection but noted that the platform's overall privacy practices continue to face scrutiny because of its ownership by Meta.
The username feature follows a similar system introduced by the secure messaging app Signal in 2024 and reflects a broader trend among messaging platforms to offer users greater control over their personal information.
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