WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature that lets users chat without sharing their phone numbers. Instead, users can create and use unique usernames.
This new feature will help protect the privacy of WhatsApp’s three billion users. For example, if someone joins a large group chat, they can show their username instead of their personal phone number.
Beginning on Monday, June 29, 2026, users can start reserving their unique usernames. A username must be between 3 and 35 characters long. The feature is completely optional, and users can change or delete their usernames at any time.
WhatsApp said there will not be a public directory. This means people cannot search for your username in the app. To start a chat, someone must already know your exact username. For extra safety, users can also set a private "username key." Other people will need to know this key before they can send you a message.
To protect famous people and officials, WhatsApp is reserving certain usernames. This will stop other people from pretending to be them. The username reservation feature is rolling out slowly to mobile devices over the coming months.