San Francisco: WhatsApp, the world’s most popular messaging service, is preparing to roll out one of its biggest privacy enhancements yet: the option to connect with Usernames instead of relying solely on phone numbers. This move brings the Meta-owned platform in line with rivals like Telegram and Signal, offering users greater privacy and flexibility.
Username Reservation Now Live in Beta
Since its inception, WhatsApp has fundamentally required users to register and connect using their phone numbers, posing a challenge for users concerned about revealing personal contact details. The new username system is set to change that, allowing users to choose a unique, personalized handle.
The latest Android beta version has already introduced a new setting allowing users to reserve their preferred username. This early access phase is designed to be fair, giving users an opportunity to claim their desired handle before the feature’s official, broad rollout.
Key Rules for Creating a WhatsApp Username:
- Usernames must include at least one letter.
- They cannot begin with “www.”
- Only lowercase letters, numbers, periods (.), and underscores (_) are permitted.
This feature will be particularly beneficial for individuals who prioritize privacy and for businesses that seek to communicate securely with customers without having to disclose their direct phone numbers.
Optional Security Layers
In addition to hiding phone numbers, reports suggest WhatsApp is also developing an optional security layer known as a “Username Key.” This personal code would be required to send the first message to a user. Even if someone finds your username, they won’t be able to initiate a chat without this key, providing users with more control over who can contact them.
Rollout Timeline
While WhatsApp has not announced an official release date for the full username functionality, the appearance of the reservation feature in the beta build is a strong indication that the launch is imminent. The company plans a gradual rollout to monitor performance and ensure stability as the feature is deployed to its over two billion users worldwide. Users can anticipate the wider availability of this significant privacy update in the coming months.
