One of WhatsApp‘s most requested features is finally on the way.
The messaging app has started rolling out username reservations, giving users a new way to connect without revealing their phone numbers.
Instead of handing out a personal number, users will be able to share a unique username when chatting with new people, adding another layer of privacy to the platform.
Announcing the update, WhatsApp said the feature is designed to help people keep their phone numbers private.
Your phone number is personal and sometimes you want to connect without handing it over. That is why we are introducing usernames for WhatsApp.
Users can reserve a username by updating to the latest version of the app and going to Settings > Account > Username. Reservations have already begun, while the feature will roll out more widely over the coming months.
WhatsApp says people will not be able to search for usernames through a public directory. Instead, someone must know your exact username before they can start a conversation with you.
The company is also introducing an optional four-digit username key, giving users an extra layer of security by requiring the code before someone can contact them through a username.
The update brings WhatsApp closer to apps like Telegram, Signal and Discord, which have offered username-based messaging for years.
For billions of WhatsApp users, it means one simple but significant change: you will soon be able to start new conversations without giving away your phone number.