WhatsApp introduces usernames to let users chat without sharing phone numbers
Meta's WhatsApp is introducing unique usernames to improve user privacy and reduce the need to share personal mobile numbers to initiate contact.
WhatsApp is transitioning away from its long-standing requirement that users exchange phone numbers to initiate contact. The Meta-owned platform has begun allowing its three billion account holders to reserve unique usernames, a move the company describes as a major privacy overhaul. Once fully activated, users can connect by exchanging handles, ensuring that individual phone numbers are no longer visible when messaging someone for the first time.
The change addresses a persistent point of friction for users who find sharing a personal mobile number intrusive. According to Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp's head of product, sharing a phone number can feel like a big step
because it is personal, and it’s tied to so many other parts of your life
. She noted that users have expressed reluctance to share digits when meeting new people—such as neighbors or classmates—or when joining group chats. Newton-Rex said the feature is intended to give users control over how they choose to show up
on the app.
Media additions
While the full feature will roll out globally over the coming months, the reservation process began Monday. Because of the platform's massive user base, WhatsApp is opening reservations early to help users secure preferred names before the official launch later this year. Users can claim a handle by updating to the latest version of the app and navigating to Settings > Account > Username.
Username Rules and Restrictions
To prevent spam and impersonation, WhatsApp has established specific guidelines for username creation. According to reporting from Newsbytes, usernames must meet the following criteria:
- Length must be between 3 and 35 characters.
- Must contain at least one letter.
- Permitted characters include lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores.
- Cannot start with
www.
or end with domain extensions like .com or .net.
The company is also implementing restrictions on high-profile officials and celebrities to ensure their names are not available for general users, reducing the likelihood of the platform being overrun by users impersonating figures such as Donald Trump. For those struggling to find an available handle, WhatsApp has provided a built-in username generator.
Additionally, creators, organizations, and small businesses may claim their existing Facebook or Instagram usernames to maintain consistent branding across Meta platforms.
Privacy and Security Layers
Unlike other social media services, WhatsApp stated there will be no public username directory or suggestion system. A user must know the exact username of another person to initiate contact. To further tighten security, the platform is introducing an optional username key. This four-digit code acts as an additional layer of verification; if enabled, a sender must provide both the username and the key to start a conversation.
Despite these additions, the platform still requires a phone number to create and maintain an account. The company also maintains existing tools to block or report unwanted messages.
The shift has drawn scrutiny from privacy experts. Carisa Veliz, a professor at Oxford University and author of Privacy is Power, told the BBC that while the feature offers more privacy, WhatsApp is not a privacy-friendly app overall
because it collects metadata for marketing purposes. Veliz described Meta as one of the Tech companies with the worst track records regarding privacy.
The BBC noted that while end-to-end encryption protects the content of private chats from being read by Meta, the company still utilizes data regarding who is being messaged and when to support its advertising business.
Integration and Future Outlook
This update brings WhatsApp in line with competitors like Signal, which introduced an identical service in 2024, and Telegram. It follows a test conducted over a year ago of a PIN system designed to block unwanted messages even when a username was known.
The rollout comes amid leadership changes at the platform. Kunal Shah, the founder of an Indian fintech start-up, is taking over as head of WhatsApp, succeeding Will Cathcart after his seven-year tenure.
What to watch next:
- Regional Activation: Users will receive in-app notifications when usernames become live in their specific countries over the coming months.
- UK Regulation: While the platform's minimum age remains 13, messaging apps are currently excluded from a UK social media ban for under-16s planned for next year.
- Account Transitions: Any changes to a reserved username will trigger an automatic notification in existing chats, similar to profile photo or phone number updates.
