By 5 Towns Central Staff

MENLO PARK, Calif. (June 29, 2026) — WhatsApp has announced the rollout of a long-awaited usernames feature that will allow users to connect with others without sharing their phone numbers, marking one of the messaging platform’s most significant privacy updates in years.

While a phone number will still be required to create and maintain a WhatsApp account, users will soon be able to communicate using a unique username instead of revealing their personal number. The feature is expected to begin rolling out later this year, with username reservations opening in phases across different countries.

Usernames can range from three to 35 characters and must comply with WhatsApp’s community guidelines. Meta said it is reserving certain usernames for public figures, organizations, and well-known brands to help prevent impersonation. Businesses and content creators will also have the option to use usernames that match their existing Facebook or Instagram accounts for a consistent online identity.

Users will be notified when reservations become available in their region. Once eligible, a username can be selected by navigating to Settings > Account > Username within the app. WhatsApp is also introducing an optional username key, allowing users to restrict contact to people who know both their username and the associated key.

Unlike social media platforms, WhatsApp usernames will not be searchable. Instead, users must share their exact username directly with others, helping maintain greater control over who can initiate conversations. Usernames can also be changed or removed at any time.

Initially, usernames can only be shared through text or by telling someone directly, as WhatsApp has not yet added QR code support for the new feature.

The update brings WhatsApp closer to other encrypted messaging platforms that have long offered username-based communication, while giving its billions of users an additional layer of privacy and flexibility when connecting with new contacts.