WhatsApp to let users chat without sharing phone numbers

WhatsApp has started rolling out username reservations, allowing users to claim a unique handle before the feature launches globally later this year. The update gives users a way to start conversations without sharing their phone numbers.

The feature, which is rolling out gradually, lets users reserve a username through Settings > Account > Username on the latest version of WhatsApp. The company said it will notify users when reservations become available in their country.

Once usernames launch fully, people who choose to enable the feature will be able to chat with new contacts and businesses using their username instead of revealing their phone number. Existing contacts who already have a user’s number will continue to see it.

The new update will address a common privacy concern among WhatsApp users, especially when joining community groups, meeting new people, or interacting with businesses.

“When someone new walks into your life, sharing a phone number can feel like a big step,” WhatsApp said. “Sometimes you just want to chat without handing over your digits.”

With more than three billion users worldwide, WhatsApp said it opened reservations early to give people a chance to secure their preferred username before the broader rollout.

Users who struggle to find an available name can use WhatsApp’s built-in username generator for suggestions. The company also allows eligible creators, businesses, and organisations to claim the same username they already use on Instagram or Facebook. This will help them in maintaining a consistent online identity.

Unlike many social platforms, WhatsApp said that usernames are designed with privacy in mind. There will be no public directory or username search, meaning users can only be contacted if someone knows their exact username.

The company is also introducing an optional “username key.” When enabled, people will need both a user’s username and their unique key before they can start a conversation. The company said the feature gives users greater control over who can contact them.

Usernames will remain optional, and users can change or remove them at any time. Phone numbers will still be required to create and access a WhatsApp account.

The rollout also brings WhatsApp closer to messaging apps such as Signal, which introduced a similar username system in 2024.

Last year, Spectra Africa reported that WhatsApp was developing a feature that would allow users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers. At the time, the feature was still in development. The company has now confirmed the rollout, beginning with username reservations before a wider launch later this year.