WhatsApp will let the messaging service’s 3 billion global users select a username for their account, a change meant to increase privacy by letting people connect on the platform without having to share their phone number.
The messaging giant announced Monday that it has opened reservations for unique usernames across its global user base.
The change, slated to go fully operational later this year, allows users to connect on the platform using an alphanumeric handle rather than sharing ten-digit mobile numbers. Meta is pitching the change as a consumer protection victory, yet the strategic undercurrents signal a high-stakes play to deepen user retention and capture massive digital real estate before bad actors do.
“Usernames mean people have more control over who can see their phone number, particularly when interacting with new contacts or joining a group conversation,” said Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp’s head of product. The company described the change as a major privacy upgrade.
“When you meet someone new, whether it’s a classmate, a neighbor, or someone you meet at an event, sharing a phone number can feel like a big step,” Newton-Rex added.
The feature resembles similar identification systems offered by rival messaging apps, including Signal, which lets people start a conversation with a username instead of a phone number.
While usernames are often associated with social networking profiles, Newton-Rex said WhatsApp’s version is designed primarily as a privacy tool. Users won’t be able to browse a directory of usernames, for example, and people must know another person’s exact username to initiate contact.
Anti-Impersonation Protections
To avoid impersonation and scams, WhatsApp has set specific measures in place.
“We think it will be successful if you have another way to feel safe on WhatsApp, to feel like you can keep your phone number private and you can feel confident to connect with new people if you want,” Newton-Rex said.
WhatsApp’s username feature represents a strategic shift toward privacy-first messaging in Meta’s ecosystem, addressing a growing consumer concern about phone number exposure when connecting with new contacts.
By reserving existing Facebook and Instagram usernames and permanently protecting high-profile usernames, WhatsApp is proactively addressing impersonation risks that have plagued other platforms with username systems. This suggests Meta is learning from past mistakes in social networking while applying those lessons to messaging.
The timing is also notable: launching username reservations now, with operational rollout later this year, gives WhatsApp time to refine the feature and build user awareness before full deployment.
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