WhatsApp Prepares to Launch Username Feature, Letting Users Hide Phone Numbers
Meta-owned WhatsApp is building a groundbreaking privacy update that will let users register, connect, and chat without using their phone numbers. The upcoming feature, still under development, will introduce usernames as an alternative form of identification for both individuals and businesses on the platform.
From Phone Numbers to Usernames
Currently, WhatsApp requires users to create accounts with mobile numbers, which are then visible in conversations and group chats. However, this new username feature is designed to change that by allowing users to create a unique ID using only letters and numbers.
To prevent abuse, usernames:
- Cannot contain special characters,
- Cannot begin with “www.”, and
- Cannot end with extensions like “.com” or other domain identifiers.
These restrictions are aimed at limiting impersonation and deceptive links, especially in business or public interactions.
According to reports from WaBetaInfo and Mashable, Meta is still refining the username feature and has not released it for beta testing yet. However, sources say the update is expected to roll out across Android and iOS once testing is complete.
How It Will Work
When the feature goes live:
- Each username will be globally unique, just like Instagram handles.
- Users will have the option to hide their phone numbers in chats and display their usernames instead.
- If a user changes their username, a system message will appear in active chats to notify participants.
- Businesses and brands on WhatsApp Business will also be able to use usernames for easier and safer discovery.
This move significantly enhances user privacy and aligns WhatsApp with rival platforms like Telegram and Discord, where user IDs are standard and phone numbers are optional.
Beyond Usernames: More Privacy-Centric Updates
This is just one of several updates signalling WhatsApp’s shift toward platform flexibility and user empowerment. Other recent improvements include:
- Online Status Counter: Group chats now show how many members are currently online, making coordination easier.
- Notify Feature: A new way to pin or flag important messages for specific users in busy chats.
- Document Scanning on iPhone: Users can scan, attach, and send physical documents directly from the WhatsApp app.
- Video Call Zoom: iOS users can now zoom in and out during video calls, enhancing visual clarity.
- iPhone Integration: WhatsApp can now be set as the default messaging app, deepening its role as a central communication tool.
These updates reflect Meta’s long-term vision of transforming WhatsApp from a traditional messaging service into a multi-functional, privacy-forward communication hub.
Why This Matters for Users and the Internet
The WhatsApp username feature is a big leap for digital privacy, identity control, and online security. In an era where personal data protection is increasingly important, this feature allows users to interact without giving away personal contact information—a significant shift for over 2.7 billion users globally.
For businesses, it simplifies customer interactions and adds a layer of professionalism and branding.
And for the broader ecosystem, it marks a move toward interoperability and user-centred design that may eventually enable cross-platform messaging, in line with the EU’s Digital Markets Act and other regulatory pressures on Big Tech to reduce user lock-in.
TL;DR:
WhatsApp is testing a username-based registration system that removes the need to share your phone number, enhancing privacy and security. Once launched, it will join a wave of updates pushing WhatsApp closer to a multi-feature, privacy-first platform like Telegram or Discord.
