WhatsApp is finally rolling out usernames, and if you’ve ever felt a little uneasy handing out your phone number to someone you barely know, this feature is going to make a lot of sense to you. And even if you don’t feel uneasy, this is still a great thing to have.
Rather than sharing your number, which is tied to everything from your banking apps to your family group chats, you’ll soon be able to give someone a username instead. They message you through that, and your actual phone number stays private. It’s a small change that addresses something people have quietly wanted for years, and I think it’s long overdue.
WhatsApp says the feature will be available later this year, but reservations are open now. Given that the platform has over three billion users, a lot of names are already taken or at least in contention, which is why they’re letting people lock in their preferred username early. You can do that by heading to Settings > Account > Username in the latest version of the app.
Picking a username is worth a bit of thought. WhatsApp recommends choosing something unique, something only the people you actually want reaching you would know. If you’re drawing a blank, there’s a built-in username generator to help. For creators, small businesses, or brands that already have an established presence on Instagram or Facebook, there’s also an option to claim your existing handle from either of those platforms.
One thing worth noting is how the privacy side of it works. There’s no public directory to browse, and WhatsApp won’t suggest your username to strangers. Someone has to know your exact username to contact you in the first place. On top of that, there’s an optional username key, essentially an extra layer of access control that others need to know before they can message you. It’s a protection from someone who can make a guess or brute force usernames to DM you as they require to enter the unique key to message you for the first time.
Once usernames go live, messaging someone for the first time will no longer reveal your phone number, provided you’ve enabled your username. It’s a great shift in how the app handles first contact, and should make it easier to participate in group chats. Think school parent groups or community chats without feeling like you’re broadcasting your number to a room full of people you don’t really know. And that number can sometimes be used in spam calls and all that.
The rollout is gradual and region-dependent, so WhatsApp will notify you in-app when usernames become available where you are. In the meantime, it’s worth reserving yours now before the obvious ones disappear. I haven’t seen any notification or option yet on mine sadly, so I’m sure all the usernames in my mind right now have already been taken, sigh.
Check the FAQ on how to create usernames on Whatsapp.
