So far the WhatsApp account has been linked to a telephone number. But this system is about to change thanks to the username. It is a new identification system that allows you to use WhatsApp without having to reveal your number. Users will be able to register a unique username, verified in real time, which will allow them to be contacted. And in fact, according to what was reported by WABetaInfo, a portal specialized in messaging apps, a username reservation system has appeared in the latest beta version for Android, which will allow users to choose and block your name in advance, before the feature is even made widely available. This way it will be possible record the desired name in timeavoiding that, at the time of the official release, the fastest ones win the most coveted usernames.
The arrival of usernames marks a turning point in the history of WhatsApp. Since its launch in 2009, the app has always based users’ identity on their phone number, the only way to be found and contacted. A model that distinguishes itself from competitors such as Telegram or Signal, where it has long been possible to communicate via a simple username, without having to share personal data. Telegram even introduced an auction system for buying or selling nicknames two years ago.
How new usernames work on WhatsApp
The move responds to a specific need: to guarantee greater confidentiality for users. In an era in which sharing a personal number is increasingly seen as a risk, the introduction of usernames represents an additional barrier against spam and a more convenient way to connect with people or businesses. In fact, more and more people prefer it do not share your phone number, especially with occasional or unknown contacts. With usernames, it will be possible to communicate directly without having to reveal your personal number, a change that could redefine the way you connect on WhatsApp.
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When usernames arrive on Whatsapp
As with anything new, some are expected rules: Usernames must contain at least one letter, can include numbers, periods or underscores, but cannot begin with “www.” nor use capital letters. For now there is still no official launch date, but ongoing tests suggest that the global debut will arrive in 2026.
