7 Key Things To Know About WhatsApp’s New Username Feature

For years, using WhatsApp has meant sharing your phone number with anyone you wanted to chat with. That is about to change.

Meta-owned WhatsApp has announced a major privacy update that introduces usernames, allowing people to connect without revealing their phone numbers. The feature, expected to roll out to the platform’s more than three billion users in the coming months, is one of the biggest changes to the messaging app in recent years.

Here are seven important things to know about WhatsApp’s new username feature.

1. You Can Chat Without Sharing Your Phone Number

The biggest change is that users will be able to communicate using unique usernames instead of exchanging phone numbers. This means you can start conversations or stay connected with people without exposing your personal mobile number, offering an extra layer of privacy for everyday interactions. However, a phone number will still be required to create and maintain a WhatsApp account.

2. The Feature Is Designed to Boost Privacy

WhatsApp says the introduction of usernames is aimed at giving users greater control over their personal information. The update is particularly useful in situations where people may not feel comfortable sharing their phone numbers, such as community groups, work-related chats, online marketplaces or public events. Once username-based interactions are enabled, your phone number will no longer be visible to contacts who connect with you through your username.

3. Usernames Will Be Optional, Not Mandatory

Not everyone will have to create a username. WhatsApp says users can continue using the app exactly as they do today if they prefer. The username feature is entirely optional, allowing individuals to decide whether they want another way for people to find and contact them. This approach gives users flexibility without disrupting existing chats and contacts.

4. You’ll Be Able to Choose, Change or Remove Your Username

Users will have control over their usernames after creating them. According to WhatsApp, you can: reserve your preferred username, change it whenever you want and remove it completely if you no longer wish to use it. This flexibility allows users to update their online identity without affecting their WhatsApp account.

5. There Are Rules to Prevent Impersonation

WhatsApp is placing restrictions on usernames to improve safety. Each username can contain up to 35 characters, but certain names will not be allowed if they could mislead users or impersonate celebrities, public figures or well-known organisations. The company says these measures are intended to reduce scams and fake identities on the platform.

6. Existing Safety Features Will Still Apply

The introduction of usernames does not replace WhatsApp’s existing security tools.

Users will still be able to: Block unwanted contacts, report abusive accounts, control who can interact with them. In other words, usernames add another layer of privacy without removing the protections users already rely on.

7. There Won’t Be a Public Username Directory

Unlike some social media platforms, WhatsApp says it will not create a searchable public database of usernames. This means people cannot simply browse or search for usernames through a public directory, helping to reduce unwanted contact and protect users’ privacy. Instead, usernames will primarily be shared directly between users who want to connect.