Meta has announced that users can now reserve WhatsApp usernames ahead of the feature’s wider rollout later this year, introducing a new way to connect without sharing phone numbers and enhancing privacy across the messaging platform.
The company said the reservation process begins this week, allowing users to secure a unique username before the feature becomes widely available. With more than three billion WhatsApp users globally, Meta is opening reservations early to give people a better chance of claiming their preferred username.
The new feature is designed to address situations where users may not want to disclose their phone numbers, such as connecting with new acquaintances, joining community groups, or participating in group chats with people they have not previously met. Instead of exchanging phone numbers, users will be able to share a username to initiate conversations.
To help users create distinctive identities, WhatsApp will also include a username generator. Meanwhile, creators, small businesses, and organizations will have the option to claim the same username they already use on Instagram or Facebook, helping them maintain a consistent presence across Meta’s platforms.
Meta emphasized that privacy remains central to the rollout. Unlike traditional social platforms, WhatsApp usernames will not be searchable through a public directory, nor will the app suggest usernames to other users. Instead, people will need to know a user’s exact username before they can initiate contact. The company is also introducing an optional username key, providing an additional layer of control over who can send messages.
Once the feature becomes available, users who enable usernames will no longer have their phone numbers displayed when messaging a person or business for the first time, offering greater privacy while preserving WhatsApp’s secure messaging experience.
Users can reserve their optional username by updating to the latest version of WhatsApp and navigating to Settings > Account > Username. Meta said usernames will be rolled out gradually over the coming months, with users receiving in-app notifications when the feature becomes available in their country.
