WhatsApp is testing a username feature that lets you connect with others without giving out your phone number. According to WABetaInfo, The feature is now available in the latest Android beta (version 2.25.28.12), where users can reserve their preferred username before the official launch.
This marks a major shift for WhatsApp, which has always relied on phone numbers as the primary way to identify users. The WhatsApp username feature brings the app closer to how Telegram and Instagram handle privacy, giving users more control over who can reach them. It’s also a smart move to reduce spam, a problem WhatsApp has been working on for months.
The feature allows you to create a unique handle that others can use to start chats or search for you. However, there are some rules. Your username can’t start with “www.”, must include at least one letter, and can only use lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. The goal is to keep usernames simple and functional while preventing abuse.
Right now, beta users can reserve their usernames to make sure no one else grabs their preferred handle. WhatsApp hasn’t announced a full release date yet, but the phased rollout is expected to wrap up within the next few months. Once live, it will give users more flexibility for personal chats, business interactions, and online connections without compromising their privacy.
This update reflects WhatsApp’s ongoing effort to modernize the platform and meet changing user expectations. By letting people communicate without exposing their phone numbers, WhatsApp is addressing both privacy concerns and the frustration of unwanted messages. Either way, it’s a step forward for a platform that’s been slow to adopt features found on competing apps.
