WhatsApp is now letting users reserve usernames ahead of a broader rollout later this year. The feature will let people on the messaging platform connect without ever sharing their phone number — something privacy advocates have wanted for a long time.
With over three billion users, the overlap problem is real. WhatsApp is opening reservations early so people can claim their preferred handle before someone else grabs it. You can reserve yours through Settings > Account > Username on the latest version of the app.
Once the feature launches, people who enable a username won’t have their phone number visible to new contacts or businesses. There’s no public directory either — someone has to know your exact username to reach you. An optional username key adds a second credential layer, so even if someone guesses your handle, they still can’t message you without the key.
For creators and small businesses, you can match your WhatsApp username to your Instagram or Facebook handle. The feature will arrive gradually, with in-app notifications when it reaches your region.
Signal has had usernames since 2024, so WhatsApp is late to the party. But the sheer size of its user base means this could become one of the most significant privacy upgrades in messaging.
