Most of us have shared our phone number on WhatsApp without thinking too much about it.
A delivery rider needs to contact you. A new colleague adds you into a work group. Someone from an event says, “Just WhatsApp me.” Before you know it, your personal number is sitting in more chats than you can remember.
That may soon change.
WhatsApp is introducing usernames, a new feature that will let users connect with others without immediately giving away their phone number. According to WhatsApp, users can now reserve a username before the feature rolls out more widely later this year.
So, What Are WhatsApp Usernames?
A WhatsApp username works like a handle that people can use to contact you on the app.
Instead of giving someone your phone number, you may eventually be able to give them your WhatsApp username. This could be useful when speaking to someone new, joining a group, contacting a business or connecting with people you do not know well yet.
WhatsApp says the feature is meant to make the app more private, especially for first-time conversations. Once usernames launch, someone you message for the first time will not see your phone number if you have enabled your username.
BUT –
This does not mean WhatsApp is removing phone numbers completely.
Your phone number is still needed to register and use your WhatsApp account. The difference is that you may not have to reveal your number to every new person or business you speak to.
In simple terms, your phone number still sits behind your account, but your username can become the detail you share publicly.
There Will Be No Public Username Directory
This is an important privacy point.
WhatsApp says there will be no directory to browse and no username suggestions. This means people cannot simply search through a public list of usernames to find you.
To contact you for the first time, they will need to know your exact username.
That makes it different from social media platforms where people can search names, browse profiles and discover accounts more easily.
Disclaimer: This article is for general entertainment and public interest purposes only. Information is based on publicly available reports at the time of publication.
