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New feature gives users greater control over who can contact them—without exposing personal phone numbers
A Major Step Forward for Digital Privacy
WhatsApp has announced the global rollout of username reservations, a significant privacy-focused feature designed to reduce reliance on phone numbers for everyday communication.
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The new system allows users to connect on WhatsApp using a chosen username, helping protect personal phone numbers from unnecessary exposure.
Unlike social media handles, WhatsApp usernames are built strictly for privacy. There is no public directory, no search suggestions, and no discovery features—anyone who wants to contact you must already know your exact username.
How WhatsApp Usernames Work
Username reservations will begin rolling out globally from Monday, June 29, ahead of the full in-app launch later this year. Once reservations are available, users will receive an in-app notification prompting them to secure their preferred username.
Key features include:
- Unique identity: Users select a username that does not have to match handles on other platforms.
- Privacy by design: There is no browsing or discovery—usernames must be shared intentionally.
- Optional username key: For added protection, users can enable a username key that must be provided before someone can message them for the first time.
This layered approach ensures users retain full control over who can reach them.
Reducing Phone Number Exposure in Everyday Life
Sharing a phone number can feel intrusive, especially in casual or temporary interactions. This is often the case with a new classmate, neighbour, or someone met at an event.
In such moments, handing over a phone number can feel like crossing a personal boundary. Phone numbers are deeply personal and often linked to banking, identity verification, and multiple online services.
The same challenge exists in group chats, such as school parent groups or community forums, where users may want to participate without sharing personal contact details with strangers.
Usernames address this gap by allowing people to communicate freely while keeping their phone numbers private.
Early Reservations to Avoid Name Conflicts
With more than three billion users worldwide, WhatsApp expects high demand for usernames.
To ensure fairness and choice, the platform is opening reservations early, giving users time to secure the names that matter most to them.
For those unsure what to choose, WhatsApp is offering a username generator to help create a suitable option.
Creators, small businesses, and organisations also have the option to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook usernames, helping maintain brand consistency across platforms.
Privacy First, Not Social Discovery
WhatsApp emphasised that usernames are not designed to turn the app into a social network. There will be:
- No username directories
- No suggestions or recommendations
- No browsing of profiles
To further protect users, WhatsApp has introduced the optional username key, giving people an additional layer of control over unsolicited messages.
Once usernames are fully launched, users who enable the feature will no longer reveal their phone number when messaging someone or a business for the first time.
How to Reserve Your Username
Reserving a username takes just a few seconds on the latest version of WhatsApp:
Settings → Account → Username
The feature will roll out gradually over the coming months, with users notified in-app when it becomes available in their country.
Reinforcing Privacy Rights in Digital Communication
By introducing usernames, WhatsApp is reinforcing a core digital privacy principle: users should not be forced to trade personal data for basic communication.
The feature strengthens individual privacy rights, reduces exposure to unwanted contact, and gives users meaningful control over how they are reached online.
