WhatsApp Is About To Get Usernames: All You Need To Know

Meta’s messaging app WhatsApp is about to introduce usernames, which will allow users to connect without needing each other’s numbers.

The company has said this is “a major privacy feature”, describing sharing your number with someone as a “big step”.

It’ll work for group conversations and one-on-one chats alike.

And Meta added that you’ll probably want to reserve your username sometime soon.

You’ll still need a phone number to sign up to WhatsApp. But when usernames are introduced in your area, you’ll no longer have to give that number to somebody in order for them to reach you on the platform.

Instead, you can give them your username. This isn’t the same as your social media handle, though, Meta said.

That’s partly because no other suggestions will appear when someone types in a username.

Like your number, they’ll have to get every character of your unique username correct in order to reach you on WhatsApp. Your name won’t auto-fill in a list of suggestions if they almost get it right, as can happen on a site like Instagram.

“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,” the information page reads.

If you’ve enabled your username and you choose to message someone, your number won’t appear in the chat, as it does currently.

Names will be limited to 35 characters. They can’t be made up only of numbers or contain “restricted words or phrases”.

Some usernames are already reserved for businesses, governments, or public figures.

If you’re a business or public-facing creator or organisation, you’ll be able to reserve your Facebook or Instagram username for WhatsApp.

• Tap the three dots in your WhatsApp profile > settings
• Tap the area around your profile photo
• Select ‘create username’
• Tap ‘use Instagram username’ or ‘use Facebook username’
• Follow the prompts to add your accounts to the same Accounts Centre.

Reserving a username isn’t currently possible on WhatsApp Web.

To reserve a username on your personal phone, you’ll need the latest version of the app. The option to reserve usernames should roll out this week.

You can do this by taking the following steps:

• Tap the three dots in your WhatsApp profile > settings
• Tap your profile photo
• Select reserve username > create username
• Enter the username you want
• Select save > done.

“If you are reserving a username, your username will become active when the feature launches in your region. You will receive a notification when your username is ready to use,” Meta added.

“Usernames on WhatsApp are rolling out gradually over the next few months and might not be available to you yet,” Meta said.

You’ll be notified when your username is activated.

The company has told people to “make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp downloaded and keep an eye on your app”.