The users can begin reserving usernames now, ahead of the feature’s rollout later this year, the company said.
In a blog post, WhatsApp said the feature is intended to give users more control over their privacy when chatting with new people, joining groups or interacting with businesses. Once the feature is available and a user has enabled a username, people messaging them for the first time will see the username instead of the phone number.
The company said usernames will be optional and there will be no public directory or username suggestions. Users will need to know a person’s exact username to start a conversation. WhatsApp has also introduced an optional username key, allowing users greater control over who can reach them.
WhatsApp said creators, small businesses and organisations will be able to claim usernames matching their existing Instagram or Facebook usernames to maintain a consistent online presence.
Following the announcement, users raised several questions in the comments section of WhatsApp’s post on X, seeking clarity on the feature’s availability, eligibility, username reservation and rollout timeline.
Responding to the queries, WhatsApp said the feature will be rolled out gradually over the coming months and users will receive a notification within the app when it becomes available in their country. The company also advised users to update to the latest version of WhatsApp and access Settings > Account > Username once the feature is enabled for their account.
In its responses, WhatsApp reiterated that usernames are optional and said the feature is designed to let users communicate without sharing their phone numbers. This is its latest step towards making WhatsApp more private while giving users greater control over how they are contacted, the company added.