WhatsApp begins username reservations: chat without sharing phone number

WhatsApp has started rolling out the ability for users to reserve usernames globally. The feature, which the company describes as a significant privacy enhancement, will eventually allow users to connect without sharing their phone numbers. Reservations began on Monday, June 29, ahead of a broader rollout later this year.

In a blog post, WhatsApp said: “Starting this week, you can reserve a username to use later this year when we launch this feature. With over three billion people on WhatsApp a lot of names overlap, which is why we’re opening reservations early so everyone has the opportunity to select the username that matters to them.”

Once the feature is fully available, users will be able to share a unique username instead of their mobile number when starting a conversation with someone for the first time. WhatsApp emphasised that usernames are a privacy feature rather than a social media identity. Unlike other platforms, there will be no public directory or username suggestions. People will need to know a user’s exact username to initiate contact.

To reserve a username, users can go to Settings > Account > Username in the latest version of WhatsApp. A built-in username generator can suggest available options for those who need help choosing.

WhatsApp is also introducing an optional “username key” for added security. When enabled, anyone contacting a user for the first time through their username must enter this key before the conversation begins. Users can change the key at any time.

This feature could be useful in situations where users prefer not to share personal phone numbers, such as joining community groups, parent groups, neighbourhood chats, or connecting with people met at events.

For creators, businesses, and organisations, WhatsApp allows claiming the same username used on Instagram or Facebook, maintaining a consistent identity across Meta’s platforms.

In India, WhatsApp has partnered with actor Aamir Khan in a campaign highlighting scenarios where people can stay connected without exchanging numbers. The feature will be rolled out gradually over the coming months, and users will be notified in the app when it becomes available in their region.