How WhatsApp will let users chat without sharing phone numbers

WhatsApp introduces usernames, allowing users to chat without sharing phone numbers in a major privacy update. [File,Standard]

 WhatsApp has begun letting its three billion users worldwide reserve unique usernames, allowing people to chat without ever revealing their phone numbers.

The Meta-owned platform described the move as a major privacy overhaul, with users able to go by a chosen handle instead of their phone number when connecting with new contacts.

The move addresses scenarios in which users may not want to share their phone number, such as meeting strangers at events, joining group chats or connecting with people in professional settings. 

Once usernames are enabled, people messaging a user or a business for the first time will no longer automatically see their phone number. 

"Your phone number is personal, and sometimes you want to connect without handing it over," WhatsApp said in a post announcing the feature.

Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp's vice president of product, said the platform had heard from users who were uncomfortable sharing their numbers, particularly in group chats.

"We have designed this as a core privacy feature," said Newton-Rex.

There will be no directory of usernames on the app, and the platform will not suggest names as you type, meaning someone must know a user's exact username to make contact. 

To further strengthen privacy, WhatsApp is also introducing an optional username key. Users who enable the feature can require others to know both their username and a unique key before they can send an initial message. 

Usernames need to be between three and 35 characters. Companies, organisations and creators with existing accounts on Meta's Instagram and Facebook will get the chance to claim their usernames on WhatsApp. 

WhatsApp said it opened reservations early because of the scale of its user base. With over three billion users, significant name overlap was expected, prompting the platform to get ahead of the rush. 

The privacy-focused messaging app Signal has been offering a username feature to enable users to keep their phone numbers private since 2024, while Telegram has offered a similar system for years. 

Despite the change, a phone number will still be required to create a WhatsApp account. 

To reserve a username, users need the latest version of WhatsApp and can navigate to Settings > Account > Username.