WhatsApp is finally making this huge privacy change many have wanted for years

WhatsApp made its long-teased usernames official, and you can reserve one this week ahead of a wider launch later this year. Once live, you can message new people on the app, on an iPhone 17 Pro Max, Galaxy S26 Ultra or any phone for that matter, without sharing your number.

WhatsApp finally cracked open username reservations

WhatsApp announced the move in a blog post, with reservations open this week. To claim one before someone else does, head to Settings, then Account, then Username on the latest app version.

We first spotted this sitting in beta builds a while back, so it is a relief to see it become real. WhatsApp says it is opening early because names overlap a lot across more than three billion users.

There is a username generator if you need ideas, and creators or businesses can claim their existing Instagram or Facebook handle across Meta's apps.

Why this matters more than a simple handle

The privacy side is the point. Once usernames go live, the first time you message someone, they will not see your number, if you have set one up.

There is also an optional username key others need before they can reach you, and no public directory or suggestions, so people need your exact username to start a chat.

Signal and Telegram users have had usernames for years, and we covered Signal adding the same option, so if you already use one of those, little changes for you. The bigger deal is WhatsApp's reach, since it is the default messenger for billions.

Should you reserve a username right now?

If you have ever wanted to add someone or join a group chat without handing over your number, this is for you. Reserving now just locks in the name you want before the good ones go, ahead of the wider rollout later this year.

I have been waiting on this one for years

I went looking for the Username option the second WhatsApp's post went up, because I have wanted this for years. I use WhatsApp constantly for family, who already have my number, so nothing changes there.

It is the acquaintances I am thinking about, the ones I would happily message without first handing over my real number. That is the gap a username fills, and I would love to see Meta hide my number from existing contacts next.

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