WhatsApp to Introduce Usernames, Allowing Chats Without Sharing Phone Numbers

WhatsApp is preparing to roll out a major privacy-focused update that will allow users to connect using unique usernames instead of revealing their phone numbers, marking one of the platform’s biggest changes in recent years.

The upcoming feature is designed to give users greater control over their personal information by allowing them to communicate with new contacts without exposing their mobile numbers. Instead, each account will be linked to a unique username that can be shared with friends, colleagues or businesses.

According to WhatsApp, users will be able to reserve their preferred usernames before the global rollout begins. The company says the reservation process is intended to give people an opportunity to claim names they already use on other platforms, reducing the risk of impersonation.

To strengthen security, WhatsApp will not create a public directory of usernames. Anyone wishing to start a conversation must already know the exact username of the person they want to contact. The platform is also introducing an optional security key that users can enable to further restrict who can send them messages.

The feature is expected to benefit users who regularly interact with people they do not know personally, including business owners, content creators and professionals who prefer to keep their phone numbers private while remaining accessible online.

WhatsApp says existing users will continue using their phone numbers to register and verify their accounts, meaning the new usernames are intended to complement—not replace—the current account system. Contacts who already have your number saved will still be able to communicate with you as they do today.

With more than three billion users worldwide, the introduction of usernames is expected to significantly improve privacy and make it easier for people to connect without sharing sensitive personal information. The feature will be rolled out gradually over the coming months, with users receiving notifications once it becomes available in their region.