If you’re a WhatsApp user, then you might be interested to see what parent company Meta has been up to—the platform recently announced that it’s now giving users the chance to pick their own usernames, allowing them to secure a unique identifier before the feature fully launches later this year.
Once the feature is fully live, messaging someone for the first time via their username will completely hide a user’s phone number. WhatsApp will not feature a public directory or discovery suggestions, meaning users must know an exact username to initiate contact. For added security, there will also be an optional “username key” that acts as a secondary PIN required for others to message you.
For standard users, WhatsApp recommends choosing a unique name known only to trusted contacts, although the app will also offer a built-in username generator. Meanwhile, creators, small businesses, and organizations looking to maintain a consistent brand across Meta platforms will have the exclusive option to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook handles on WhatsApp.
The gradual rollout begins this week, and users can check for eligibility and reserve an optional username by updating to the latest version of the app and navigating to Settings > Account > Username. WhatsApp will notify users directly within the app as the feature becomes available in their respective regions over the coming months.
