WhatsApp will introduce optional usernames that allow users to connect with contacts without disclosing their personal phone numbers [1, 2].

This change addresses a long-standing privacy gap in the messaging service. By decoupling a user's public identity from their mobile number, the platform aims to provide more robust data protection options for its global user base [2].

Under the new system, usernames will function as an additional way to find and add people on the app [1]. This allows users to share a handle instead of a digit-based identifier, a feature common in other social media and messaging platforms.

Despite the introduction of usernames, the fundamental architecture of the service will not change entirely. Registration for a WhatsApp account will still require a valid phone number [2]. The usernames serve as a layer of privacy for interaction, rather than a replacement for the account's underlying verification method [1, 2].

Meta Platforms, the parent company of WhatsApp, first announced the development of this feature in 2024 [1]. While the company has confirmed the intent to roll out the feature globally, a specific date for the general release has not been provided [1].

Consumer advocates have noted that while the move improves privacy during the connection process, the mandatory phone number registration means the company still maintains access to that primary identifier [2]. Users will have the choice to adopt a username or continue using the service as they currently do.

“WhatsApp will introduce optional usernames that allow users to connect with contacts without disclosing their personal phone numbers.”

This update represents a strategic shift for WhatsApp as it moves closer to the functionality of apps like Telegram or Signal. By allowing usernames, Meta is reducing the friction and privacy risks associated with sharing phone numbers in professional or semi-public settings. However, because phone-based registration remains mandatory, the move is a privacy enhancement for user-to-user interaction rather than a total anonymization of the platform.