WhatsApp has launched a username feature that allows users to create accounts and be contacted without revealing their phone numbers [1, 2].

This change marks a significant shift in the platform's architecture, as the service has historically required a phone number as the primary identifier for every user. By decoupling identity from a mobile digit, the app addresses a long-standing privacy gap that often forced users to share personal contact information with strangers or professional acquaintances.

Users can now select a unique username to share with others [1]. This ensures that individuals can maintain a level of anonymity while still utilizing the application's messaging capabilities worldwide [2]. The feature is designed to give users greater control over who has access to their private phone numbers [1, 2].

Meta Platforms, the parent company of WhatsApp, said it introduced the tool to enhance privacy protections across the service [1]. Previously, adding a new contact required the exchange of phone numbers, which could lead to unwanted exposure of personal data. The new system allows the app to function more like other social messaging platforms where a handle serves as the primary point of contact.

While the core functionality of the app remains centered on encrypted messaging, the addition of usernames changes how users discover and connect with one another. This update is available within the WhatsApp application globally [2].

“WhatsApp has launched a username feature that lets users hide their phone numbers”

This update aligns WhatsApp with competitors like Telegram and Signal by removing the phone number as a mandatory shared identifier. By implementing usernames, Meta is reducing the friction for user growth and professional networking while mitigating the privacy risks associated with 'doxing' or the unsolicited sharing of personal mobile digits.