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 began rolling out a new feature in early 2026 allowing users worldwide to reserve unique usernames, or handles, to use instead of sharing phone numbers, according to company sources. The phased rollout started with limited beta testing on Android and iOS, with a full public launch planned for June 2026 to enhance user privacy and simplify contact sharing.

WhatsApp users can now reserve unique usernames, or handles, that will replace phone numbers as the primary identifier when connecting with new contacts, according to multiple reports and WhatsApp-aligned sources. The feature began limited beta testing on Android and iOS devices in early 2026, with a full public launch planned for June 2026, industry trackers and media outlets confirmed. This phased rollout is occurring region by region, with in-app notifications alerting users when username reservation becomes available in their country, according to Engadget and The Times of India.

Usernames must be between 3 and 35 characters, containing only lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and must include at least one letter, according to technical details reported by Vucense and Invent.

Users can claim a username in advance by navigating to Settings, then Account, and selecting the new Username option, sources said. The reservation process allows users to manually enter a preferred handle or use an in-app generator to suggest available names that comply with WhatsApp’s formatting rules. WhatsApp checks availability in real time, displaying a green checkmark for valid handles. If a desired username is taken, users may receive suggestions based on their existing Instagram or Facebook names, reflecting integration within the Meta ecosystem, The Times of India noted.

Once activated, WhatsApp usernames will appear as the visible contact identifier instead of phone numbers when new users or businesses initiate messages, multiple sources confirmed. This change addresses a longstanding privacy concern, allowing users to connect without revealing their phone numbers to new contacts. However, WhatsApp still requires a phone number to register an account, and it remains the backend identifier, according to privacy guides and reports from Engadget and Vucense. An optional four-digit “username key” can be set during the reservation phase to add an additional layer of security, requiring contacts to know both the handle and key to reach the user’s main inbox. This key is expected to be upgraded to an alphanumeric code when usernames fully launch later in 2026, according to Engadget.

The introduction of usernames is expected to have significant implications for businesses using WhatsApp. Starting as early as June 2026, companies using the WhatsApp Business API will be able to create and claim usernames for customer interactions, according to Invent and Replypop. This will allow businesses to share branded handles instead of phone numbers, simplifying customer communication and enhancing brand visibility. Usernames will also appear in group chats and direct messages, replacing phone numbers and facilitating easier discovery and contact. Industry observers note this shift moves WhatsApp closer to a Telegram-style identity model, where usernames serve as public identifiers searchable within the app.

The development of the username feature has been publicly tracked since 2023, with WABetaInfo regularly reporting on beta builds revealing the functionality. The outlet confirmed that the feature is currently rolling out to a limited number of users on both Android and iOS platforms. Social Media Today reported that WhatsApp is set to give users the option to create usernames as part of a system update scheduled for June 2026. While WhatsApp has not officially announced a precise global launch date, multiple sources point to the second half of 2026 for full deployment.

The phased rollout began in early 2026 with limited beta testing between January and April, expanding gradually to more users and markets. WhatsApp sends in-app notifications when the username reservation option becomes available in each region, enabling users to secure their preferred handles ahead of the public launch. According to The Times of India and Khaleej Times, the username feature represents one of WhatsApp’s most significant privacy upgrades to date and is currently accessible to select users in various countries.

This update is part of WhatsApp’s broader efforts to enhance user privacy and streamline contact sharing on its platform. While usernames will replace phone numbers as visible identifiers in many contexts, the underlying account verification and security continue to rely on phone numbers. The rollout will continue through 2026, with expanded availability for individual users and businesses expected over the coming months.

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.

WhatsApp began testing AI-generated replies for business inboxes this week as part of Meta’s effort to automate customer messaging, according to the company’s Help Center. The feature allows businesses to generate suggested or automated responses within the WhatsApp Business environment, with controls to manage when and where AI replies are used.

The AI-generated reply feature for WhatsApp business inboxes is designed to assist companies in managing high volumes of customer messages by offering suggested or automated responses within the WhatsApp Business environment, according to WhatsApp’s Help Center. The feature is framed as an assistant tool rather than a fully autonomous chatbot, emphasizing controlled automation to improve response times for frequently asked questions.

Businesses can control when and where these AI replies are deployed, allowing for flexibility in automating parts of the customer communication process.

WhatsApp’s Help Center provides a step-by-step guide for setting up Business AI, directing users to access the feature through the Tools tab, then “Your Business AI,” followed by “AI replies.” Meta’s Facebook Business Help documentation also includes instructions for configuring Business AI on both Messenger and WhatsApp platforms. Meta describes the AI as capable of reading, understanding, and responding to customer messages, highlighting the company’s intent to integrate AI-driven automation across its messaging services. The official framing stresses governance and user controls to prevent unmoderated or unrestricted AI interactions.

The controls available to businesses extend to configuring AI replies as drafts, which require human review before sending, according to Hostaway’s Inbox AI Replies documentation, a third-party platform that supports WhatsApp automation. This approach suggests Meta is pursuing a model of configurable automation rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. Businesses can decide the degree to which AI handles the messaging workflow, which is particularly important for sensitive conversations that require human oversight. WhatsApp’s Help Center confirms that these inbox-level controls are designed to help companies tailor AI use to their operational needs.

The feature’s primary use case is to reduce response times in busy inboxes by quickly answering common questions. According to an analysis by Respond.io, businesses employing WhatsApp AI agents use them to greet customers, ask qualifying questions, interpret intent, and route conversations to the appropriate human agents or departments. Respond.io also notes that businesses need WhatsApp API access and a supporting platform to effectively manage conversations at scale. This aligns with Meta’s broader strategy to enhance WhatsApp’s utility for sales and customer support operations.

Additional automation features in the WhatsApp ecosystem include settings for AI agent selection, header and footer messages, stop keywords, and retry attempts, as demonstrated in a YouTube video showcasing WhatsApp AI agent configurations. Stop keywords allow users to disable AI responses and request human handling, while retry controls enable businesses to specify how many times the AI should attempt to respond if a message fails to send or process. These features indicate that automation is being implemented with multiple guardrails to maintain quality and user control.

Meta’s expansion of AI-enabled messaging features is evident across its platforms. Facebook Business Help documentation includes setup guides for Business AI on both Messenger and WhatsApp, and Instagram is also testing “smart replies,” according to publicly available information. This broader rollout reflects Meta’s effort to keep business communications within its suite of apps rather than relying on external tools. WhatsApp’s own Help Center materials confirm ongoing development and support for AI reply workflows.

Verified business use cases for WhatsApp AI agents include lead qualification by interpreting natural language and progressively collecting structured information such as product interest, budget, timeline, and location, according to Respond.io. Visito, a company specializing in WhatsApp AI agents, states that modern AI can understand conversational context, remember previous interactions, and solve problems more autonomously than traditional scripted bots. The business value centers on faster customer support, reduced manual workload, and improved lead handling efficiency.

The introduction of AI-generated replies in WhatsApp business inboxes is part of Meta’s larger automation initiative aimed at streamlining customer communication and enhancing the functionality of its messaging platforms for business users. Official documentation and third-party analyses confirm that the tools are designed with configurable controls to balance automation and human oversight.