WhatsApp has confirmed that usernames are coming to the app later this year. You can reserve yours right now before the feature launches. This change allows you to chat with others without sharing your phone number, enhancing privacy for users of the world’s most popular messaging app.
What’s Actually Happening
Traditionally, WhatsApp required you to share your phone number to connect with anyone. That’s about to change. The app is introducing usernames—unique handles (think @yourname, like on Instagram or X) that let people find and message you without needing your number.
WhatsApp claims this feature aims to make the platform “even more private,” since your phone number will remain hidden from anyone not already in your contacts. The full rollout is expected sometime in 2026, but the company is allowing reservations now so users can secure the name they want before it gets taken.
How to Reserve Your Username
Reserving a username takes about 30 seconds in the app. Here’s how to do it:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings
- Tap your profile
- Look for the Username option (it may be rolling out gradually, so check back if you don’t see it yet)
- Enter your desired username and confirm it
Usernames aren’t active for chatting just yet—reserving one simply holds your spot. Think of it as grabbing a domain name before launching a website. Once the feature is fully rolled out, anyone with your username will be able to message you directly.
Why This Took So Long
WhatsApp began testing usernames back in 2023, and we’ve seen it in beta versions of the app several times since. The delay seems to be due to building the infrastructure needed to ensure username uniqueness and privacy for a user base exceeding 2 billion—one of the largest in the world.
Telegram, a competing messaging app, has had usernames for years, and Signal recently added a similar feature. WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, likely felt the pressure to catch up, especially as privacy concerns about sharing phone numbers have increased.
| WhatsApp By The Numbers | |
|---|---|
| Global monthly active users | 2+ billion |
| Countries where WhatsApp is the #1 messaging app | 100+ |
| Years since username testing began | ~3 years |
| Username feature launch window | Later in 2026 |
| Cost to reserve a username | Free |
What This Means
For many users, this change is genuinely beneficial. Right now, sharing your WhatsApp contact means giving away your phone number permanently. That’s a lot of personal information to share with a work acquaintance, a seller, or someone you just met. With usernames, you can share contact info easily without compromising your privacy.
This also makes WhatsApp more practical in professional settings. Many people keep separate work and personal phones to avoid sharing their personal number with clients or colleagues. A username system could lessen the need for that workaround.
Keep in mind, usernames won’t completely replace phone numbers just yet. You’ll still need a phone number to create a WhatsApp account. The username acts as an extra layer of privacy on top of your existing account.
What People Are Saying
“Finally. I’ve been waiting for this since Telegram made it look easy in 2015. Better late than never I guess.”
“Reserving mine right now. The number of times I’ve had to give strangers my number just to coordinate something basic is ridiculous.”
What To Watch
- Full feature launch: WhatsApp hasn’t provided a specific date beyond “later this year” — expect an announcement in the second half of 2026.
- Username availability: Popular names will go fast. If you want something simple, reserve it now through the app.
- Gradual rollout: The reservation feature is rolling out in waves, so if you don’t see it in Settings yet, check back in a few days.
- Privacy policy updates: It’s a good idea to review how WhatsApp handles username data once the feature fully launches, especially regarding discoverability settings.
Sources: 9to5Google, The Verge, Wired
Ava Mitchell
Ava Mitchell is a digital culture journalist at Explosion.com covering social media platforms, streaming services, and the creator economy. With 4 years reporting on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and the apps that shape daily life, Ava specializes in explaining platform policy changes and their impact on everyday users. She previously managed social media strategy for a tech startup, giving her firsthand experience with the platforms she now covers.
