The reservation process is optional and can be completed in a few seconds, WhatsApp said. The reserved usernames will become functional later this year when the feature fully launches, with a gradual rollout planned over the coming months. Users will receive in-app notifications when the username system becomes available in their country.

Users can reserve unique usernames starting June 29 by updating to the latest version of WhatsApp and navigating to Settings > Account > Username, according to an official blog post by the company.

WhatsApp’s new username system is designed to enhance privacy by allowing users to connect without sharing their phone numbers, according to multiple reports including the *Straits Times* and *Economic Times*. The company described the feature as part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on phone numbers for identification, thereby limiting exposure during initial contact. The usernames must be unique, meaning only one user can reserve each handle, and must follow specific formatting rules reported by WABetaInfo. These rules include using only lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, with usernames required to contain at least one letter and prohibited from starting with “www.” or ending in domains such as “.com” or “.net”.

In addition to the username reservation, WhatsApp is testing a “username key” as an additional security layer. According to Business Standard, this key may prevent messages from being received unless the sender has the matching key, providing an extra level of control over who can initiate contact. The username key is part of the company’s privacy enhancements but has not yet been widely deployed.

The rollout will affect WhatsApp’s entire global user base of approximately 3 billion people, according to reports from the *Straits Times* and other outlets. However, the feature will not be available simultaneously worldwide; instead, Meta-owned WhatsApp plans a phased introduction by country. This approach aligns with the company’s statement that users will be notified within the app when usernames become accessible in their region.

Prior to the official launch, WhatsApp had been testing the username reservation feature in beta versions of the app. WABetaInfo identified functionality related to username reservations in Android beta version 2.25.28.12, and the company’s official blog confirms the feature’s availability starting this week. The blog post did not specify a precise date for the full activation of usernames but indicated it would occur later in 2026.

The username reservation option is accessed through the app’s settings menu and is optional for users who wish to adopt it. WhatsApp emphasized that reserving a username now does not mean it can be used immediately but will secure the handle for future use when the system is fully operational. This reservation-first approach is intended to allow users to claim their preferred usernames ahead of the feature’s broader rollout.

The introduction of usernames marks a significant change for WhatsApp, which has traditionally relied on phone numbers as the primary identifier for users. By enabling connections without sharing phone numbers, the company aims to address privacy concerns that have been raised over the years. This initiative is consistent with WhatsApp’s ongoing efforts to improve user privacy and security, as evidenced by the testing of the username key and the gradual rollout strategy.

The official blog post announcing the username reservation system serves as the primary source for these details, with secondary reporting from regional news outlets confirming the privacy rationale and the phased implementation plan. As the rollout progresses, WhatsApp users worldwide can expect to see the option to reserve usernames appear within the app, followed by the full activation of the feature later this year.

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.