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To strengthen user privacy further, WhatsApp — Meta’s messaging app — has announced that it will formally introduce a “Usernames” feature later this year. In the future, when users contact new friends or businesses, they will no longer need to compromise by handing over their real, private phone number. Given that WhatsApp now serves a vast base of up to 3 billion people worldwide, the company has confirmed that early reservation of usernames will open gradually “starting this week.” As a result, users get a chance to claim their preferred, exclusive ID.
How to Reserve, and Reusing Facebook or Instagram Handles
Although the full messaging functionality of usernames will not go live for a few months, the early reservation mechanism rolls out worldwide this week. When the feature opens in your country or region, the system will send a notification automatically.
At that point, users simply open WhatsApp’s Settings → Account → Username to set one up. Besides entering a name and confirming whether it is already taken — it must be a globally unique identifier — the system also offers a built-in name generator to choose from.
It is worth noting that, to protect the rights of the existing ecosystem, WhatsApp will let creators, small businesses, and organizations claim and reserve their current Instagram or Facebook username directly.
Advanced Privacy: A “Username Key” to Block Strangers
The biggest change arrives once the feature formally launches. From then on, the first time you message another user or business, they will no longer see your phone number. Conversely, any new contact who wants to reach you through WhatsApp must know your exact username.
In addition, to curb the flood of unwanted spam that usernames could invite, WhatsApp adds an optional “key” protection mechanism. Users can set a dedicated password. Beyond knowing your username, others must also enter this key to message you successfully.
During the current reservation phase, users can first set a four-digit numeric key. When the feature officially launches, it will upgrade fully to support alphanumeric passwords.
Following Signal’s Lead
In fact, WhatsApp’s move clearly follows the footsteps of Signal, a messaging app known for prioritizing privacy. Signal introduced a similar username mechanism back in 2024. Therefore, its users could already hide their real phone number completely while chatting.
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