WhatsApp is preparing to introduce one of its most anticipated features—usernames—allowing people to connect without sharing their phone numbers. The update is designed to strengthen user privacy while making it easier to communicate with new contacts.
With the new system, users will be able to create a unique username linked to their account. Instead of exchanging mobile numbers, friends, businesses, or communities can connect using these usernames, helping protect personal information.
The feature is expected to be especially useful for creators, professionals, and group administrators who interact with many people but prefer to keep their phone numbers private. WhatsApp is also expected to include verification checks to ensure usernames are unique and prevent impersonation.
Although Meta has not announced an official global rollout date, the feature has been spotted during development and is expected to arrive in a future update.
Industry experts believe usernames could become one of WhatsApp’s biggest privacy improvements in years, offering users greater control over how they connect and communicate while maintaining the platform’s end-to-end encryption.