WhatsApp usernames are set to become a new privacy feature, allowing users to connect with others without sharing their phone numbers. The company has started rolling out early username reservations ahead of the feature’s broader launch later this year.

The update is designed to give users more control over how they connect with new contacts. Whether meeting a classmate, neighbor, or someone at an event, users will be able to start conversations without revealing their personal phone number.

The feature is also expected to improve privacy in group conversations. For example, users joining community or school groups will be able to participate without immediately exposing their phone numbers to people they do not know.

With more than three billion users on WhatsApp, the company said many names naturally overlap. As a result, it is opening username reservations early to give everyone an opportunity to secure the username they want before the official rollout.

WhatsApp said most users will likely choose a unique username that only selected contacts know. To simplify the process, the platform has also introduced a username generator that can suggest available options.

Meanwhile, creators, small businesses, and organizations will have the option to claim the same username they already use on Instagram or Facebook. This is intended to help them maintain a consistent identity across Meta’s platforms.

The company emphasized that privacy remains central to the feature. There will be no searchable username directory or public suggestions. Instead, users will need to know the exact username to initiate contact for the first time.

Additionally, WhatsApp has introduced an optional username key. Users who enable it can require others to enter the key before sending them a message, adding another layer of protection against unwanted contact.

Once the feature launches, users who enable a username will no longer have their phone number displayed when messaging a person or business for the first time.

Reserving a username takes only a few seconds on the latest version of WhatsApp. Users can access the option by navigating to Settings > Account > Username.

WhatsApp said WhatsApp usernames will roll out gradually over the coming months. Users will receive an in-app notification when the feature becomes available in their country, marking another step in the platform’s broader effort to strengthen user privacy.

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