WhatsApp Introduces Usernames, Phone Numbers No Longer Needed
WhatsApp opens username reservations to let users connect without sharing phone numbers.
More than three billion WhatsApp users can now reserve their own usernames as the messaging platform begins rolling out a feature designed to let people connect without sharing their phone numbers.
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The username reservation process opened on Monday, June 29, allowing users to choose a unique identifier ahead of the feature's full launch later this year. Users will be notified inside the app when reservations become available, and can create their username through the latest version of WhatsApp by navigating to Settings, then Account, followed by Username.
Parent company Meta, which also owns Facebook and Instagram, said reservations are being opened early because of the sheer scale of the user base. With over three billion people on the platform, many usernames are likely to overlap, prompting the company to give everyone an opportunity to secure their preferred choice before the feature goes live.
A Privacy Feature, Not a Social Network
Unlike traditional social media platforms, WhatsApp has emphasised that usernames will not create a searchable directory. There will be no suggestions, browsing options, or discoverability features. People will need to know someone's exact username in order to contact them for the first time.
"At its core, it's a privacy feature, not a social media handle," Meta said. "There's no directory to browse and no suggestions, so people need to know your exact username to contact you for the first time."
The company said the feature addresses a long-standing privacy concern, as phone numbers are often linked to multiple aspects of a person's digital life. Usernames will allow individuals to communicate with new contacts — including joining group conversations such as community or activity-based chats — without revealing their personal phone number to strangers.
"For most people, choosing a WhatsApp username should be something unique that only people you want to contact you will know," WhatsApp said.
Consistency Across Platforms
WhatsApp is also permitting certain creators, small businesses, and organisations to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook usernames on WhatsApp, enabling them to maintain a consistent online identity across Meta's ecosystem.
The company stressed, however, that this move is not intended to transform WhatsApp into another social network. Instead, it positions usernames as a tool for privacy-conscious communication.
No Change to Business Model
The announcement comes as WhatsApp continues to expand beyond its traditional messaging roots into business tools, payments, and artificial intelligence features. When asked whether usernames could eventually serve as a vehicle for advertising or revenue generation by allowing businesses to target users without accessing their phone numbers, the company was clear.
"Usernames don't change how WhatsApp's business model works," WhatsApp said. "Our focus remains on helping businesses connect with and serve their customers better."
Meta pointed to its recently announced Meta Business Agent, an AI-powered tool designed to enable businesses to respond to customers around the clock across WhatsApp and Messenger.
Broader Context
The rollout arrives as Meta faces continued scrutiny over the impact of its platforms, particularly on younger users. The company is confronting thousands of lawsuits in the United States from young users and families alleging that Meta's social media products contributed to harm to children. Meta has countered by pointing to its investments in teen safety tools and parental controls.
Meanwhile, Meta has been expanding WhatsApp's leadership and strategic direction. The recent appointment of Indian entrepreneur and CRED founder Kunal Shah to lead WhatsApp has drawn attention to the platform's next phase, as it looks beyond messaging into areas such as payments, business services, and AI-powered products.
For users, however, the immediate change is straightforward: from June 29, they can secure a username that allows them to share a WhatsApp identity without handing over their phone number.