The update reduces the need to share phone numbers
Menlo Park, United States | June 2026
WhatsApp has introduced a new username reservation system that will allow users to communicate without always sharing their phone number, marking one of the platform’s most important privacy changes in recent years.
The feature lets people choose a unique username directly inside the app through the route: Settings, Account and Username.
Once reserved, the username can be used as an alternative contact method, especially when starting a conversation with someone for the first time. This means users will be able to receive messages without immediately exposing their personal phone number.
The option is not mandatory. WhatsApp has clarified that people who prefer to continue using their phone number as their main contact method will be able to do so without changing their current experience.
The reservation period is already available globally ahead of the full launch expected later in 2026. This early phase is intended to help users secure their preferred name before the system becomes fully operational.
Each username must be unique and may include Latin letters, numbers, periods and underscores, following a format similar to platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. If a name has already been taken, another user will not be able to claim it.
Meta is also allowing users who already have established identities on Instagram or Facebook to reserve the same username on WhatsApp, a useful option for creators, businesses, organizations and public figures seeking consistency across platforms.
The update also includes a username generator for people who are unsure which identifier to choose. This tool can help suggest available alternatives while maintaining the user’s digital identity within the app.
One of the most important privacy elements is that WhatsApp will not create a public directory of usernames. Users will need to know the exact name in order to find someone, reducing the risk of unwanted discovery or random searches.
The platform is also preparing an additional username key, which would allow users to control who can start new conversations with them. This creates another privacy layer, especially for people who want to separate personal communication from professional, public or temporary interactions.
The change responds to a long-standing privacy concern: until now, WhatsApp has been strongly tied to phone numbers. That model made communication simple, but it also meant that sharing WhatsApp access usually required exposing a personal number.
With usernames, WhatsApp moves closer to other messaging platforms while keeping its private-contact structure. The update gives users more control over how they are identified and contacted, without removing the phone number system entirely.
For billions of WhatsApp users, the new feature could change how people connect in work, commerce, social media, customer service and everyday communication. Instead of giving out a phone number, users may soon be able to share only a username, reducing exposure and improving digital privacy.
The arrival of usernames confirms that privacy is becoming a central battlefield for messaging applications. WhatsApp’s new system does not eliminate all risks, but it gives users a practical tool to protect personal information and manage contact with greater control.
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