Have you ever had the need to connect with someone but felt uneasy about handing out your phone number? How about the reluctant feeling of giving out your number to join a social group or parent teacher messaging group? To resolve this, WhatsApp has purposely designed a new username feature.
Since its inception in 2009, WhatsApp has relied on phone numbers as the sole method of identifying and connecting users. While this has been effective, the company recognizes that phone numbers are part of our personally identifiable information (PII). Thus, where possible, users should have much control over whom they choose to disclose it to. With the new username feature, users now have an additional identity with which they can initiate conversations. So, what exactly is this new username feature, why is there a need for reservations and how will it work?
What is a username and how will it work?
Similar to a social media handle, a WhatsApp username is an alias of choice that uniquely identifies users while protecting the privacy of their personal phone number. It can be as short as 3 characters or as long as 35 characters. When this feature becomes available, users must enable it before use. In addition, users can change or update their usernames at any time.
To improve user privacy, the new username feature will not have a searchable directory. This means, unlike other social media apps, there will be no directory where users can browse accounts to discover the identities of strangers. To initiate conversations, you must know the exact username of the person you would like to reach out to.
If a person’s username becomes public, they have the option to enable and use the username key feature. When enabled, people who seek to initiate conversations must know both the username and the username key of the person they would like to reach out to. This in no doubt gives users significant control over who can contact them and reduces opportunities for spam.
However, it must be noted that usage of the new username feature is totally optional and does not replace phone numbers. Those with whom you have already communicated with using your phone number will continue to see and have access to it. Similarly, existing conversations in chats, groups and communities will all remain unchanged.
Ultimately, usernames will make it easy to start conversations with people you are not familiar with while it keeps your phone number hidden. It is ideal in situations where you need to establish some level of initial communication. This can be at conferences and networking events, or when you need to join community groups you rarely participate in.
Why reserve a username?
With over three billion users worldwide, fierce competition for usernames is expected when the feature becomes fully available in the last quarter of 2026. Hence, WhatsApp introduced the reservation program in June to enable early adopters select preferred their usernames.
More importantly, there is a priority reservation process in place that allows qualified businesses, influencers, enterprises and high-profile public figures to claim usernames already in use on other Meta owned apps such as Facebook, and Instagram. This process simultaneously prevents impersonation and cybersquatting of high-profile accounts.
Notwithstanding, WhatsApp, allows anyone who desires to match their username to those on other Meta owned apps the ability to do so. All you need to do is to establish a connection by clicking on “Links” in the profile section of your user profile.
The reservation program is available on a country-by-country basis. Expect an in-app notification about it soon if the feature is not yet enabled in your country.
How to Reserve a username
To reserve a username, here are some important tips. First, think about what you would like it will be. It is also important to choose something that protects your privacy. Something those without your phone number cannot easily guess. Again, it can be between 3 to 35 alphanumeric characters long. It really depends on you. As of today, the username feature is not yet available on WhatsApp web or desktop so reservations can only be done on mobile phones.
With a username in mind, open WhatsApp and navigate to the accounts section and click on your user profile icon. A window like the one below will display.
Now, click on “Reserve Username” to open the window below.
Next, click the “Create username” button. A window similar to the one below will open up.
Type in your username. “This username is available” will be indicated under your username if it’s not already taken as seen in the picture above. Click save to confirm your choice.
Next, click done to exit the setup window. That’s it! You have successfully reserved a username.
The right step in the privacy direction
The introduction of the username feature is yet another significant step by Meta to improve privacy and reduce the amount of personal information users disclose when they communicate using WhatsApp. Since its launch seventeen (17) years ago, the platform has seen several security and privacy enhancements. Notable among them are end-to-end chat encryption, disappearing messages, encrypted backups, chat lock, screen sharing protection, account verification, passkeys and controls over profile information and online status.
The efficiency and full potential of the username feature will remain unknown until it it is fully rolled out. However, its purpose and functionality look promising and its certainly the right step in the privacy direction.
