WhatsApp is preparing to roll out one of its most anticipated features: usernames. The feature, still in development, will let users connect without sharing their phone numbers — a significant privacy shift that mirrors functionality seen in Telegram and Signal.
Discovered by WABetaInfo in a recent iOS beta, the username system will allow users to create unique handles for chatting. Although it’s not available to any testers yet, the backend strings found in the app indicate that the feature is actively being built out, including the interface and validation rules.
Why it matters
The feature is aimed squarely at phone number privacy. Once active, users who contact you without having your number will see your username instead. This could be especially useful in group chats, marketplaces, or casual conversations where sharing a personal number might not be ideal.
How it will work
WhatsApp is going to set some clear rules for usernames:
•Usernames must include at least one letter — numbers or symbols alone won’t work.
•They can’t start with “www.”, to avoid confusion with websites.
•Allowed characters include lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), periods, and underscores.
Once you lock in a valid username, WhatsApp will show a cheerful confetti animation to confirm it’s yours. The handle will then appear in chats and group messages in place of your number.
Users can change their usernames later, but any update will generate a system message in ongoing chats to notify others — similar to how changes in display picture or number are currently communicated.
WhatsApp’s web version is also set to get a future update that will let users check if their desired username is still available.
When’s it launching?
No release date has been announced, but the presence of these features in beta strings suggests that public testing is not far off. With WhatsApp already making moves — including the recent launch of its iPad app — the username feature could arrive soon.
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