WhatsApp to Introduce Usernames, Allowing Users to Connect Without Sharing Phone Numbers

WhatsApp to Introduce Usernames, Allowing Users to Connect Without Sharing Phone Numbers">

One of WhatsApp's most in-demand features is finally coming out of beta. Later this year, the messaging app used by over 3 billion people plans to add usernames. This new feature provides an additional and more privacy-friendly way for WhatsApp users to connect without sharing phone numbers.

The race to grab the best WhatsApp usernames is about to begin. WhatsApp says username reservations will open up this week on the platform, and users will see a notification in the app when it's available. To reserve a username, users can check in the app by going to Settings and then Account, where they will find the Username tab if it's enabled.

They will then have the option to create a new username or port over their existing name from Instagram or Facebook. WhatsApp offers a username generator, but users can also choose a username of their choice. Usernames are designed to give users control over who gets to see their phone number, says Alice Newton-Rex, vice president of Product at WhatsApp.

"Usernames are designed to give you control over who gets to see your phone number in the first place," she says. "It's an optional feature; you choose your own username, you can change it or remove it, and it doesn't have to match your handle or account name on any other app." Newton-Rex stressed that this WhatsApp feature was designed around user privacy. There's no public list of usernames for people to search through.

Users can also add an extra layer of security by only allowing people who know a unique four-digit key, in addition to their username, to contact them. "I do think that we'll see a lot of adoption, but that's going to be one of the things that we learn as we start rolling it out," she says. WhatsApp is not shy about this feature's similarities to competitors.

"Signal usernames are probably a good comparison," Newton-Rex says. "This will work in a very similar way." Signal rolled out usernames on its platform in 2024. Many messaging apps are still experimenting with different ways for users to connect without sharing numbers.

For example, Germ DM allows its users to create "burner cards" so people can connect with multiple groups in different ways. Why this matters: The introduction of usernames on WhatsApp marks a significant shift towards enhanced user privacy on the platform. With over 3 billion users, WhatsApp's move is likely to have a substantial impact on the broader messaging app industry, potentially prompting competitors to reevaluate their own privacy features.

For users, this feature provides an additional layer of control over their personal information, allowing them to choose who can contact them without sharing their phone number. For developers and businesses, this could lead to new opportunities for building more private and secure communication channels. However, questions remain about the adoption rate of this feature and how it will be used in practice.