WhatsApp is rolling out a username feature that allows users to connect on the platform without sharing their personal phone numbers, according to Gávea News. The update addresses long-standing privacy concerns by letting individuals reserve unique identifiers, significantly reducing unsolicited messages and spam.
How to Reserve Your WhatsApp Username
To set up a username, users can access the app’s settings menu through the three dots in the upper-right corner of the main chat screen, as reported by Gávea News. Navigating to the account section reveals the username option, where individuals can check availability and submit their chosen handle for platform review. While a formal release date has not been set, rollout is expected through 2026, though some creators and businesses already have early access to claim handles across Meta platforms.
Business Impact and API Changes for 2026
The platform updates extend heavily into the commercial sector, introducing new fee structures and automation rules for business accounts, according to O Antagonista. Free monthly limits for broadcast lists will transition to per-message charges to curb excessive mass messaging. Meanwhile, verified accounts utilizing the official WhatsApp Business API will see expanded capabilities, allowing high-volume senders to reach up to cem mil messages daily without prior gradual limits.
Privacy Shifts in Messaging Dynamics
The introduction of usernames fundamentally changes how conversations initiate on the platform, according to Luis Veloso, co-founder and CRO of Morada.ai, speaking to SP Agora. With an estimated 147 million active users in Brazil tracked by Statista figures cited by SP Agora, initiating contact via an alias rather than a direct phone number offers enhanced protection against scams and unwanted exposure, though experts advise maintaining caution regarding fake profiles.
Did You Know? The username feature aligns WhatsApp’s contact discovery mechanics closer to platforms like Telegram and Instagram, decoupling direct phone number exposure from early-stage interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will WhatsApp usernames be available to everyone?
The Meta rollout is happening gradually, with implementation expected to widen through 2026, according to Gávea News and SP Agora.
Will my phone number still be visible when using a username?
Your phone number remains linked to your account, but it will no longer be exposed during the initial contact phase when chatting via a username, as reported by SP Agora.
How do businesses claim their handles?
Businesses and creators can claim and link exclusive identifiers across Meta platforms, matching handles previously used on Instagram or Facebook, according to Gávea News and SP Agora.
What are your thoughts on using usernames instead of phone numbers on WhatsApp? Let us know in the comments below, and subscribe to our newsletter for more tech updates.
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