4 min learnNew DelhiUp to date: Jun 29, 2026 10:00 PM IST
WhatsApp has begun rolling out reservations for usernames globally. Dubbed as one in every of its largest privacy-focused options, usernames will enable customers to attach with out revealing their telephone numbers. The Meta-owned messaging platform mentioned username reservations will start from Monday, June 29, forward of the characteristic’s broader rollout later this 12 months. Customers will obtain a notification within the app as soon as the choice turns into accessible to them.
“Beginning this week, you’ll be able to reserve a username to make use of later this 12 months once we launch this characteristic. With over three billion folks on WhatsApp numerous names overlap, which is why we’re opening reservations early so everybody has the chance to pick the username that issues to them,” WhatsApp mentioned in a weblog publish.
The brand new characteristic reduces the necessity to share private telephone numbers when chatting with somebody for the primary time. As a substitute of exchanging cell numbers, now customers will have the ability to share a novel WhatsApp username that others can use to start out a dialog.
The corporate claims that usernames are usually not a lot a social media id as they’re a privateness characteristic. In contrast to platforms that enable customers to seek for public profiles, WhatsApp mentioned there will probably be no public listing or username options. Folks might want to know a person’s actual username earlier than they will provoke contact for the primary time.
Customers will have the ability to create and reserve a username via Settings -> Account -> Username on the most recent model of WhatsApp. Those that need assistance selecting one can use a built-in username generator to counsel accessible choices.
Added layer of privateness
WhatsApp mentioned most individuals ought to select a username that’s distinctive and shared solely with these they wish to talk with. The corporate can be introducing an optionally available username key, a further safety layer that offers customers extra management over who can contact them. When enabled, anybody messaging a person for the primary time via their username will even must know the username key earlier than a dialog can start. Customers will even have the ability to change the important thing each time they need.
As soon as the characteristic turns into extensively accessible later this 12 months, customers who’ve enabled usernames will now not must reveal their telephone numbers when messaging an individual or enterprise for the primary time. This might show helpful in conditions similar to becoming a member of neighborhood teams, dad or mum teams, neighbourhood chats or connecting with folks met at occasions, the place customers is probably not snug sharing their private telephone numbers.
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In the meantime, for creators, companies and organisations, the corporate has additionally launched an possibility to assert the identical username they already use on Instagram or Fb, serving to them keep a constant on-line id throughout Meta’s platforms.
To advertise the characteristic in India, WhatsApp has partnered with actor Aamir Khan in a marketing campaign highlighting on a regular basis conditions the place folks might wish to keep related with out exchanging telephone numbers. The platform mentioned usernames will probably be rolled out steadily over the approaching months and customers will probably be notified in WhatsApp when the characteristic turns into accessible of their nation.
The way to reserve your WhatsApp username
As soon as the characteristic turns into accessible in your account:
📍Replace WhatsApp to the most recent model.
📍Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
📍Faucet Account > Username.
📍Select a novel username or use WhatsApp’s recommended username generator.
📍Verify your choice to order it.
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Moreover, arrange a username key for an additional layer of privateness, requiring first-time contacts to enter the important thing earlier than messaging you.
If the Username possibility doesn’t seem, it means the characteristic has not but been rolled out to your account. WhatsApp says it can notify customers within the app when username reservations change into accessible of their area.