WhatsApp is preparing for one of the most significant changes in its history by introducing usernames, a feature that will allow users to connect without sharing their phone numbers. The move signals a major shift in how the world’s largest messaging platform approaches identity and privacy, bringing it closer to features long offered by rivals such as Telegram and Signal while retaining its focus on secure communication.
The announcement was made by WhatsApp CEO Kunal Shah, who encouraged users to reserve their preferred usernames ahead of the broader rollout. In a post on X, Shah revealed that he had already secured his own username, urging others to do the same before popular names become unavailable. The reservation process began rolling out globally on June 29, with the complete feature expected to reach users over the coming months.
Since its launch, WhatsApp has relied exclusively on mobile phone numbers as the primary way for people to identify and communicate with one another. While that approach simplified account verification and contact discovery, it also meant users had to disclose their personal phone numbers whenever they wanted to start a conversation with someone new. The new username system is designed to change that.
Under the updated model, users will be able to choose a unique username of up to 35 characters. Instead of exchanging phone numbers, people can simply share their username to initiate conversations. WhatsApp says the feature is particularly useful when interacting with new acquaintances, businesses, community groups, or people met at networking events, where users may prefer not to reveal their personal contact information immediately.
Unlike traditional social media platforms, however, WhatsApp is not turning usernames into public profiles. The company has clarified that there will be no searchable username directory or recommendation system. A person must know another user’s exact username before initiating contact, a design intended to preserve the platform’s privacy-first philosophy while offering greater flexibility in how users connect.
To strengthen security further, WhatsApp is introducing an optional “Username Key.” The feature allows users to create an additional authentication key that first-time contacts must enter before sending a message via a username. Users will be able to modify or remove this key whenever they choose, providing another layer of protection against unwanted messages. Existing safeguards—including end-to-end encryption, blocking, and reporting tools—will continue to function as they do today.
Businesses, creators, and organizations are also expected to benefit from the update. Where possible, WhatsApp plans to let verified organizations reserve usernames that match their existing Instagram or Facebook identities, creating greater consistency across Meta’s ecosystem. The company also says usernames associated with well-known public figures and celebrities will be reserved to help reduce impersonation attempts.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the launch, the feature has also sparked debate among technology leaders and cybersecurity observers. Several prominent entrepreneurs, including Ankur Warikoo and Vijay Shekhar Sharma, have raised concerns that usernames could make impersonation easier if criminals create lookalike identities that closely resemble legitimate accounts. Some critics have drawn comparisons with Telegram, where deceptive usernames have occasionally been used in scams and phishing attempts.
For Meta, the rollout represents more than a cosmetic update. It reflects the company’s broader ambition to evolve WhatsApp from a phone-number-based messaging service into a more versatile communications platform capable of supporting businesses, creators, commerce, and digital services without compromising user privacy. The introduction of usernames also follows the appointment of Kunal Shah as WhatsApp’s global leader, a move widely viewed as part of Meta’s strategy to expand the platform’s role in payments and digital commerce, particularly in high-growth markets such as India.
As the feature rolls out gradually worldwide, users can reserve their preferred usernames by updating WhatsApp to the latest version and navigating to Settings > Account > Username, once the option becomes available in their region. Those who already have a preferred handle may want to act quickly, as usernames will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Whether the feature ultimately reshapes digital communication or introduces new security challenges will depend on how effectively WhatsApp manages identity verification and abuse prevention. For now, the platform is taking its biggest step yet toward giving users greater control over how they connect—without requiring them to share one of their most personal pieces of information: their phone number.
