WhatsApp now lets you reserve usernames. While the feature will only go live later this year, Meta is allowing you to reserve your username now.
This gives you a chance to claim your preferred handle before usernames become available to everyone.
Reserve your WhatsApp username today
WhatsApp beta releases have long teased the imminent arrival of username support. Meta is now finally making the feature official. Unlike your profile name, a WhatsApp username will be unique to your account.
With over three billion users on its platform, WhatsApp is opening username reservations early to give everyone a chance to claim the handle they want. You can only start using usernames from later this year.
For creators and small businesses, WhatsApp offers an option to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook username on WhatsApp.
To reserve a username, update WhatsApp to the latest version and head to Settings > Account > Username on Android. On iPhone, tap You in Settings, open your profile, and select Create Username.
Don’t worry if you don’t need the option to reserve a username yet. The feature is rolling out gradually over the next few months, and you’ll receive a notification when it’s available for your account.
Username support will make WhatsApp more private
Telegram, Signal and iMessage have supported usernames for a long time now. So, WhatsApp’s implementation of usernames was long overdue. However, Meta’s implementation is different as it keeps your username private.
The company makes it clear that it won’t offer a searchable username directory. Instead, only people who know your username can contact you.
There’s also an optional username key that others will need to know before they can reach you on WhatsApp through your username.
Username support in WhatsApp will let you hide your phone number from unknown contacts and businesses. Once you enable the feature, people you message for the first time will only see your username, not your phone number.
