WhatsApp announced on Monday that users can now reserve usernames, a new feature that will allow people to message each other without exchanging phone numbers.
The Meta-owned messaging app, which has more than three billion users worldwide, said the change addresses a common friction point: sharing personal phone numbers with new contacts, group members, or businesses.
How Reservations Work
Reservations opened immediately, with the full username system scheduled for a gradual rollout over the coming months.
According to the official announcement, users will go to Settings > Account > Username in the latest version of the app to claim their preferred handle.
Because many common names overlap across billions of users, WhatsApp opened reservations ahead of the launch to give people a better chance of securing their chosen name.
WhatsApp Privacy Controls
Once active, usernames will function as the primary way to start conversations. People will need to know the exact username to contact someone for the first time. There will be no public directory or search suggestions.
WhatsApp also introduced an optional username key that adds another layer of control, recipients can require this additional code before accepting new messages.
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The feature gives users the option to hide their phone number from new contacts who reach them via username. Existing chats and verified business conversations are not expected to change.
WhatsApp said the move is part of ongoing efforts to increase user privacy. “A phone number is personal, and it’s tied to so many parts of your life,” the company noted in its blog post.
The company highlighted use cases such as joining parent groups for sports teams, meeting new people at events, or interacting with classmates and neighbors without revealing direct contact details.
For public figures, creators, small businesses, and organizations, WhatsApp reserved a pathway to link their existing Instagram or Facebook usernames to maintain consistent branding across platforms.
The company also added a username generator tool to help users create unique options when their preferred name is unavailable. Users are advised to choose handles that are not easily guessable to limit unsolicited messages.
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Rollout and Availability
The rollout will not be immediate everywhere. WhatsApp said it will notify users in the app when usernames become available in their country. The company has not yet released a full timeline or country-by-country schedule.
This brings WhatsApp in line with other major messaging platforms that have offered username-style identifiers for years.
Users with questions can check the app’s Help Center once the feature is available in their region. For now, the priority is reserving a username before popular options are taken.
