The feature is ideal for privacy – and those massive group chats
WhatsApp users can now reserve their own username amid upcoming changes to the app.
The feature is ideal for people who want to join groups and chat to new pals without sharing their phone number with people they don’t know. This can be domne by using a unique username instead of a phone number.
Early reservation is now live meaning users can secure their preferred username before the feature launches later this year. WhatsApp explains: “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.”
It adds: “For most people, choosing a WhatsApp username should be something unique that only people you want to contact you will know. If you need help picking one, we have a username generator to make one work just for you.
“We also know that some people like creators, small businesses, and organisations may want to maintain a consistent presence online. For them, we reserved an option to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook username on WhatsApp.
“Usernames are our latest step to make WhatsApp even more private. There’s no directory to browse and no suggestions – people will need to know your exact username to contact you for the first time. To help control who can reach you on WhatsApp with your username, we’ve built an optional username key that others will need to know to message you.
“Once we launch usernames, when you message a person or business for the first time they will no longer see your phone number, if you enabled your username.”
How to reserve my WhatsApp username?
All you need to do is go to WhatsApp, click on Settings then Account and select Username.
It adds: “We’ll be rolling out usernames gradually over the coming months and will notify you in WhatsApp when they’re available in your country.”
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