WhatsApp finally prepares to add usernames after years of delay

WhatsApp is finally taking steps to give users an option they have long wanted — usernames. After years of depending solely on phone numbers for identification, Meta is now preparing to let people reserve unique handles that will allow them to chat without sharing their numbers.

The feature was discovered in the latest beta build of WhatsApp for Android by WABetaInfo. It shows a new Settings option that lets users reserve a username ahead of its public rollout. This pre-reservation system could help avoid impersonation and secure preferred handles before others claim them. Given that Meta plans to roll out username support gradually, the option to book a handle early is a logical move.

For years, WhatsApp’s phone-number-only approach has been convenient for casual users but frustrating for those seeking privacy. Sharing your number with strangers, especially in public groups or business contexts, can pose risks. It also complicates things when you change your number. Competitors like Telegram, Signal, and even Apple’s iMessage have long allowed usernames or email-based IDs, giving users more flexibility and privacy control.

Meta has been slow to implement the feature, but considering WhatsApp’s massive scale — over three billion monthly users — the delay makes sense. Transitioning such a large user base to a new identification system requires careful planning to avoid chaos.