WhatsApp has begun rolling out a usernames feature that allows users to chat without sharing their phone numbers [1].

This change marks a significant shift in the app's architecture, as it removes the requirement for users to exchange private contact information to start a conversation. By decoupling the account from the phone number for discovery, the platform aims to improve user privacy and reduce the risk of personal data exposure [1], [4].

Username reservations opened on June 30, 2026 [2]. More than three billion users are eligible to reserve their unique handles as part of this update [5]. The process is designed to be first-come, first-served, encouraging users to claim their preferred identifiers quickly [2].

Reports on the deployment timeline vary. Some sources indicate the feature began appearing for users in May 2026 [3], while other reports state the global rollout is just beginning now [5]. Similarly, the scope of the release is described by some as a limited phased update [6] and by others as a global rollout to all users [5].

WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta Platforms, developed the tool to allow connections without exposing phone numbers [1], [4]. This move brings the service closer to the functionality of other social messaging platforms where a handle serves as the primary identifier.

Users can now create a username to share with others, which then allows those people to find and message them without needing to save a phone number to their device's contact list [3]. This is intended to streamline how people connect in professional or casual settings where sharing a mobile number may be undesirable.

“WhatsApp has begun rolling out a usernames feature that allows users to chat without sharing their phone numbers.”

This update addresses a long-standing privacy gap in WhatsApp's design. By introducing usernames, Meta is transitioning the app from a phone-directory-based tool into a more traditional social network. This reduces the friction of onboarding new contacts and mitigates the privacy risks associated with sharing a permanent phone number with strangers or acquaintances.