WhatsApp to Add Usernames for More Privacy and Less Phone Number Sharing

WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will let users create a unique username for their account, removing the need to share their phone number when connecting with others.

The update was first discovered in the code of a recent iOS TestFlight beta version, according to WABetaInfo. The feature is still in development and not yet available for beta testing.

The new username system aims to enhance privacy and allow users more personal expression. Instead of phone numbers, usernames will appear when starting new chats or participating in group conversations.

WhatsApp plans to implement specific rules for usernames. Users won’t be able to start usernames with “www” or end them with domain extensions like “.com” to avoid confusion with official websites. Usernames must be in lowercase and can include numbers, periods, and underscores. They must also be between 3 and 30 characters long.

Once a valid username is selected, users will see a confirmation screen with an animation showing the username is linked to their account.

This feature would make WhatsApp more like other messaging apps such as Signal and Telegram, which also let users connect using usernames instead of phone numbers.

The update follows WhatsApp’s recent launch of its iPad version, which includes multitasking features like Split View, Slide Over, and Stage Manager.