WhatsApp has announced the start of the username reservation phase, a preliminary step toward the official launch of the feature expected later this year. Users can already reserve their unique username directly from the app settings, anticipating a major change in communication privacy. With over three billion active users, the Meta-owned platform decided to open reservations early to avoid name conflicts and allow everyone to choose their preferred username.
How to reserve your WhatsApp username
To reserve a username, go to Settings, then Account, and finally Username. From there, you can type the desired name, provided it is unique, or use the built-in generator. For organizations, small businesses, or creators, WhatsApp allows claiming the same username used on Instagram or Facebook. Reservations are available globally, and the app will send a notification when the feature becomes active in the user's country. During the reservation phase, you can also set a four-digit security key, which will become an alphanumeric code at the official launch, required to receive messages from new contacts.
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Privacy benefits over sharing phone numbers
Once the feature is live, users will be able to communicate with new people or businesses without revealing their phone number. To contact someone, you only need to know their exact username. Additionally, you can activate an optional key that must be known together with the username to send the first message. This system offers an extra layer of privacy, similar to what Signal introduced in 2024. Integration with Instagram and Facebook accounts simplifies the transition for those already using Meta services, allowing them to maintain a consistent digital identity.
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Comparison with Signal and future outlook
WhatsApp follows in the footsteps of Signal, the privacy-focused messaging app that introduced usernames in 2024 to hide phone numbers. However, WhatsApp's vastly larger user base makes this innovation particularly significant. According to early analyses, the move could reduce spam and unwanted calls, better protecting personal data. For those interested in how other platforms are evolving in security, the article on child safety features shows how social media giants still need to improve user protection. Additionally, to understand the context of WhatsApp's new features, you can read the previous announcement about username reservations (same topic but with complementary details). For an external deep dive, check the original article on Engadget that first reported the news.
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With this step, WhatsApp aligns with users' demands for greater privacy while maintaining the ease of use that made it popular. Early username reservations offer a unique opportunity to secure the desired name before the official launch in the coming months. It remains to be seen whether other messaging platforms will follow suit, but in the meantime, WhatsApp users can already act to protect their digital identity.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2203162/whatsapp-usernames-chat-without-phone-numbers
