Meta owned social messaging app, WhatsApp has announced plans to introduce a username feature that will allow users to connect and chat without sharing their phone numbers, in what the platform describes as a move to strengthen privacy.
The new feature, which will be rolled out globally to the app’s over three billion users in the coming months, will enable people to exchange unique usernames instead of phone numbers when connecting on the platform.
Beginning Monday, users will be able to reserve their preferred usernames through the app, although the feature will not be mandatory.
The company said users would have the option to remove or change their usernames at any time, while maintaining existing safety tools such as blocking and reporting unwanted contacts.
Under the new arrangement, usernames will be limited to 35 characters, with certain restrictions in place to prevent impersonation of notable public figures and celebrities.
According to WhatsApp, the feature is designed to give users greater control over their privacy, especially in situations where they may not want to disclose personal phone numbers.
The Lead product development at WhatsApp, Alice Newton-Rex, remarked that the decision followed feedback from users who wanted alternative ways to connect, particularly in group conversations.
She said, “We have heard from users that they do not always want to share their phone numbers in order to stay in contact with others, especially in group chats.”
Newton-Rex added, “We hope this feature will give users control over how they choose to show up on WhatsApp.”
Once fully activated, individual phone numbers will no longer be visible during username-based interactions. However, users will still need a phone number to create a WhatsApp account.
The company also clarified that there will be no public directory for usernames.
The development comes as the platform undergoes a leadership transition, with Kunal Shah recently announced as the incoming head of WhatsApp, succeeding Will Cathcart after seven years in the role.
