WhatsApp introduces usernames feature to let users chat without sharing phone numbers

WhatsApp is set to launch a major privacy-focused update that will allow users to connect and chat without revealing their phone numbers, using unique usernames instead.

The new feature will be rolled out globally to the platform's more than three billion users over the coming months, according to the Meta-owned messaging service.

Beginning Monday, users will be able to reserve their preferred usernames through the app, although adopting a username will remain optional. WhatsApp says users will also have the flexibility to change or remove their usernames at any time.

Once fully implemented, the feature will enable people to connect and communicate simply by exchanging usernames, eliminating the need to share personal phone numbers. Users will still have access to existing safety tools, including the ability to block and report unwanted contacts.

Usernames will be limited to 35 characters, with certain restrictions in place to prevent impersonation. Names associated with high-profile public figures, government officials, and celebrities will be protected and unavailable for general use.

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WhatsApp Says Feature Enhances User Privacy

According to WhatsApp's Head of Product, Alice Newton-Rex, many users have expressed concerns about sharing their phone numbers, particularly in group chats and online communities.

She explained that the new feature is designed to give users greater control over how they interact with others on the platform.

"We hope this feature gives users more control over how they choose to show up on WhatsApp," she said.

The move brings WhatsApp in line with other messaging platforms such as Signal, which introduced a similar username-based system in 2024.

Privacy Experts Raise Concerns

Despite welcoming the added layer of privacy, some experts argue that the update does not fully address broader concerns about data collection.

Professor Carissa Véliz of the University of Oxford, author of Privacy Is Power, described the feature as useful but cautioned users against assuming it makes WhatsApp a fully privacy-focused platform.

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She noted that while message content remains protected by end-to-end encryption, WhatsApp continues to collect metadata, including information about who users communicate with and when those interactions occur.

WhatsApp maintains that private messages are not used for advertising purposes and that the company cannot read the contents of encrypted chats.

No Public Username Directory

The company has clarified that there will be no public directory of usernames. Users will still be required to register with a phone number to create a WhatsApp account, but once the feature is fully rolled out, phone numbers will no longer be visible to other users during interactions.

The announcement comes as WhatsApp undergoes a leadership transition. The company recently revealed that fintech entrepreneur Kunal Shah will take over leadership of the platform, succeeding Will Cathcart, who is stepping down after seven years as head of WhatsApp.

The new usernames feature is expected to significantly improve privacy and security for users worldwide while making it easier to connect without exposing personal contact details.