WhatsApp will allow users to create unique usernames instead of sharing their phone numbers to connect with others [1].
This change addresses a long-standing privacy gap in the app's architecture. By removing the requirement to disclose a personal phone number, the platform reduces the amount of sensitive data users must share with strangers or professional acquaintances.
The announcement arrived on Monday, June 29, 2026 [2]. The company plans to roll out the feature later in 2026 [3].
WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta Platforms, said the move is an effort to protect personal data [1]. For years, the service required a mobile number for account creation and discovery, which some users found restrictive for privacy.
"WhatsApp will soon allow people to go by usernames instead of having to give out phone numbers," the company said in a press release [4].
Company representatives said the update is a direct response to user feedback. A WhatsApp spokesperson said, "We’re listening to our community and working to close this privacy blind spot" [5].
While the app already offers end-to-end encryption for messages, the visibility of the phone number remained a point of contention for those seeking higher anonymity. This update aligns the app more closely with other social platforms where handles serve as the primary identifier, limiting the exposure of a user's real-world contact information.
“WhatsApp will soon allow people to go by usernames instead of having to give out phone numbers.”
This transition marks a fundamental shift in WhatsApp's identity model, moving away from a telephony-based directory toward a handle-based system. By decoupling the user account from a phone number, Meta is attempting to attract users who prioritize anonymity and to compete with platforms like Telegram, which have long offered username-based discovery to protect user privacy.
