WhatsApp users worldwide began reserving usernames starting the week of June 29, 2026, the company confirmed, marking the first phase of its new identity system rollout. According to WhatsApp officials, the feature is designed to protect users’ phone number privacy by allowing them to connect using usernames instead of sharing their mobile numbers.
WhatsApp’s new username reservation feature allows users to secure unique handles that will enable them to connect without sharing their phone numbers, according to company officials. The feature, which began rolling out globally the week of June 29, 2026, is the first phase of WhatsApp’s broader plan to shift away from phone-number-based identity on the platform. WhatsApp described the move as “a key step towards a major shift in how people connect,” emphasizing that usernames are an optional privacy feature rather than a mandatory replacement for phone numbers.
The username reservation process is designed to protect users’ phone number privacy by allowing them to share a handle instead of their mobile number, WhatsApp said.
Once a username is reserved, it is locked to that account and cannot be claimed by others, even if they later gain access to the feature, according to beta testing reports. The reservation phase lets users secure their preferred handle before full messaging via username is enabled, with availability checked in real time.
The rollout is gradual and will expand over the coming months, with in-app notifications alerting users in each country when the feature becomes available, WhatsApp officials said. Initial access is limited to select beta testers, with broader user access planned as the company monitors performance and stability. Business Standard reported that username reservations began on Monday, June 29, with the feature slated to roll out later this year inside the app.
In current Android beta versions, such as 2.25.28.12, the username reservation option appears in the user’s profile section below the phone number field, according to WABetaInfo and TechRadar. The username controls are located under a “Username” header alongside other profile information like About or bio. Users must follow strict formatting rules: usernames must contain at least one letter, cannot be composed solely of numbers or symbols, and cannot begin with “www.” Only lowercase letters (a–z), digits (0–9), periods (.) and underscores (_) are permitted. These constraints aim to standardize usernames and reduce spoofing or misleading handles, officials said.
WhatsApp is also testing integration with Meta’s Accounts Center, allowing users to reserve usernames that match their existing Facebook or Instagram handles. Users can enter their Facebook or Instagram handle inside WhatsApp, which verifies ownership through the Meta Accounts Center and reserves the corresponding username on WhatsApp. Early reports indicate that initial reservation access prioritizes handles already in use on Meta’s other platforms to maintain consistency across services. After verification, the reserved username becomes exclusive to that WhatsApp account, preventing duplicate claims, according to sources familiar with the testing.
The username system is part of WhatsApp’s broader privacy-focused communication strategy as it prepares for a full username launch planned for later in 2026. An official update shared with business partners stated that usernames will allow users and businesses to connect and make calls without revealing phone numbers. Industry observers such as the Mobile Ecosystem Forum have noted that the 2026 rollout window will introduce enhanced privacy and business branding through @name identifiers on WhatsApp.
The reservation feature is designed to ensure fairness and manage demand, preventing early users from grabbing popular usernames before global access opens, according to WABetaInfo and Hindustan Times. This staged rollout helps maintain stability and monitor performance as millions of users attempt to secure handles. For businesses, WhatsApp is testing “business scoped IDs” to enable privacy-focused communication and consistent branding across the platform, according to company communications.
WhatsApp has relied on phone numbers for registration and contact discovery for over a decade, and the introduction of usernames represents a modernization of this model. Industry analysis suggests that separating public-facing identities from private phone numbers will benefit individual users and brands alike by enhancing privacy and reducing friction in sharing contact details. The username reservation phase prepares the platform for a broader shift in identity management, with implications for user safety, spam control, and brand presence once the full system launches.
The company plans to continue refining the username system through beta testing, with Android beta version 2.25.34.3 showing support for reserving usernames that match Instagram and Facebook handles. WhatsApp will expand access gradually as it evaluates user feedback and platform stability. The integration of usernames across WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram via Meta’s Accounts Center is part of Meta’s strategy to unify identity management across its services.
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