WhatsApp has announced the introduction of usernames, allowing users to communicate on the platform without disclosing their personal phone numbers.
The Meta-owned messaging app said on Monday that users can begin reserving their preferred username this week, ahead of a full rollout later in 2026.
To reserve a username, users must have the latest version of WhatsApp installed and navigate to "Settings → Account → Username."
"Your phone number is personal and sometimes you want to connect without handing it over," WhatsApp said in its announcement.
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The company has not specified an exact date for when usernames will become fully operational, stating only that the feature will launch later this year.
"Starting this week, you can reserve a username to use later this year when we launch the feature.
"It takes just a few seconds, make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp and then go to Settings > Account > Username," WhatsApp said.
The move brings WhatsApp in line with rival platforms such as Telegram and Signal, which have offered username-based contact discovery for several years.
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