WhatsApp Launches Usernames: Privacy Without Sharing Your Number

What happened?

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has announced that users can now reserve a unique username between 3 and 35 characters, serving as an alternative identifier to the phone number. The feature will roll out gradually throughout 2026, according to the company's official blog. Reservations are available from this week so users can secure their name before the official launch, as reported by The Verge. This move represents a significant shift in the platform's architecture, which until now relied exclusively on phone numbers as unique identifiers. Meta's decision responds to a long-standing user demand for greater privacy and flexibility, similar to what competitors like Telegram (since 2013) and Signal (since 2018) already offer. It's worth noting that WhatsApp had previously experimented with privacy features, such as two-step verification (2016) and disappearing messages (2020), but usernames are arguably the most profound change in user identity since its creation in 2009.

Why is it important?

Until now, WhatsApp linked each account to a phone number, forcing users to share it to be contacted. This posed a privacy issue, especially in professional contexts or with strangers. With usernames, that barrier is removed, bringing the app closer to competitors like Telegram or Signal, which already offer this functionality. TechCrunch notes that the allowed length (3-35 characters) is similar to other platforms, though Telegram allows up to 32 characters and Signal up to 64. WhatsApp's implementation allows alphanumeric characters, dots, underscores, and hyphens, but no spaces or special characters. Additionally, usernames will be globally unique, meaning once registered, no one else can use it. This contrasts with Telegram, where usernames are unique within each server but can repeat across different servers. The feature will also include a new contact request system: users can choose who can find them by username (everyone, only contacts, or no one), and conversations initiated by strangers will appear as requests, similar to how message requests work on Instagram. This is crucial to prevent spam and harassment, a recurring issue on open platforms. According to Wired, early reservation is key because popular names (like brand names, common nicknames, or generic terms) could run out quickly, as happened with Twitter usernames in its early years. Meta has not confirmed whether it will allow the transfer or sale of usernames, but it is likely to implement policies against speculation, as Instagram already did with verified accounts.

Consequences for users and the market

For users, the main advantage is privacy: they can give their username instead of their number, reducing the risk of spam, unwanted calls, or leaks. This is especially relevant in regions where phone spam is rampant, such as India or Brazil, which concentrate a large portion of WhatsApp's 2 billion users. For businesses and professionals, it facilitates communication with clients without exposing personal data, which could boost the use of WhatsApp Business, which already has over 50 million active businesses. In the market, WhatsApp catches up with its rivals, which could slow migration to other apps. However, adoption will depend on how search and contact request management are implemented. If the process is smooth, it could even attract users who left WhatsApp for Telegram or Signal. Nevertheless, the feature is not without risks: the possibility of being contacted by strangers could increase spam if not managed well. Additionally, global uniqueness could lead to brand conflicts and cybersquatting, a phenomenon already seen with web domains and usernames on other platforms. Meta will need to implement a dispute resolution system and possibly a verification process for registered trademarks. Historically, WhatsApp has been slow to adopt advanced privacy features: end-to-end encryption arrived in 2016, years after Signal offered it. With usernames, the company shows it is willing to innovate to retain its user base amid growing competition. According to Sensor Tower data, Telegram downloads grew 30% in 2025, while WhatsApp's remained stable. This feature could change that trend.

Wired recommends reserving the name as soon as possible, as popular names could run out. The feature will activate gradually, and users will receive a notification when it becomes available in their region. The full rollout is expected to take several months, starting with countries with higher WhatsApp adoption, such as India, Brazil, and Indonesia. Users can reserve their name from the app's settings, in the new "Username" section. Once reserved, the name is linked to the account and cannot be changed until the feature officially launches. Meta has indicated that usernames will be optional: users can continue using their phone number if they prefer. This is important to maintain compatibility with the installed base. In summary, the introduction of usernames in WhatsApp is a milestone that responds to demands for privacy and flexibility, and could redefine how we connect in instant messaging. However, its success will depend on careful implementation that avoids the spam and cybersquatting issues that have affected other platforms.