WhatsApp has begun rolling out a long-awaited username feature, allowing users to connect and chat without sharing their personal phone numbers in one of the platform’s most significant privacy upgrades to date.
The new feature enables users to create a unique username that others can use to find and message them, similar to how platforms such as Instagram, Telegram and X operate. While phone numbers will remain linked to accounts for verification and security purposes, they will no longer need to be shared when initiating conversations.
The update addresses one of the biggest privacy concerns surrounding WhatsApp, particularly for users who communicate with people outside their personal contacts. It also opens the door for wider use in professional networking, online communities and business interactions where sharing a personal phone number may not be appropriate.
Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, said the feature is designed to give users greater control over their personal information as demand for stronger privacy protections continues to grow. The rollout is being introduced gradually, with eligible users able to reserve and claim usernames through the latest version of the app.
Security experts have welcomed the move, noting that it reduces unnecessary exposure of users’ phone numbers and could help limit spam, harassment and unwanted contact. However, they also advise users to choose distinctive usernames and remain cautious of phishing attempts that could emerge as cybercriminals adapt to the new system.
The addition also brings WhatsApp closer to competitors such as Telegram and Signal, both of which have supported username-based messaging for several years. As messaging platforms increasingly compete on privacy and security, the feature strengthens WhatsApp’s position while offering users greater flexibility in how they communicate online.
The rollout comes as governments and regulators continue to place greater scrutiny on how technology companies handle user data. With more than two billion monthly active users worldwide, WhatsApp has steadily expanded its privacy-focused features in recent years, including end-to-end encryption, chat locks and disappearing messages.
Users can access the new functionality by updating WhatsApp to the latest version as the feature becomes available in their region. Meta has not announced a full global rollout schedule, but the company is expected to expand availability over the coming weeks.