Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has announced a major privacy-focused update that will allow users to connect without sharing their phone numbers.
Under the new feature, users will be able to create unique usernames that can be shared with family, friends, businesses and other contacts instead of revealing their personal mobile numbers. The change is designed to strengthen user privacy while making it easier to connect with others on the platform.
Despite the update, phone numbers will still be required when creating a WhatsApp account. The username simply becomes an alternative way for people to find and contact one another, similar to how usernames function on other messaging platforms. Existing chats and contacts will continue to work as normal.
WhatsApp said usernames will not be publicly searchable, and users will need to know the exact username of the person they wish to contact. This approach is intended to preserve privacy while reducing unsolicited messages. The company has also reserved usernames for public figures and organisations to help prevent impersonation.
The feature is currently being rolled out in phases, beginning with username reservations, before becoming available to users globally over the coming months. Meta says the update represents one of WhatsApp’s most significant privacy enhancements in recent years, particularly for users who interact with people outside their personal contact lists or conduct business through the platform.
With more than three billion users worldwide, WhatsApp’s transition to usernames marks a significant shift in how people identify and communicate on the world’s largest messaging platform, offering greater control over personal information while maintaining the service’s end-to-end encrypted messaging.
