WhatsApp launches usernames to replace phone number sharing

WhatsApp has introduced usernames, a new feature that allows users to connect with others without sharing their phone numbers. The update is aimed at strengthening privacy and giving users greater control over how they are found and contacted on the platform.

With the new system, users can share a unique WhatsApp username instead of their personal number when meeting new contacts. Username reservations opened on June 29, 2026, allowing users to begin securing their preferred handles ahead of the wider rollout. Usernames must be between three and 35 characters, using only lowercase letters, numbers, periods and underscores, and cannot include “www.” or domain-style endings such as “.com.”

To further protect users, WhatsApp is introducing an optional four-digit username key, which adds an extra layer of account control. The company has also confirmed there will be no public directory of usernames, ensuring that handles cannot be browsed or searched by outsiders, a measure meant to limit unwanted contact and protect personal privacy.

The rollout will happen in phases. The first phase begins July 7, 2026, covering Algeria, Azerbaijan, Ghana, Libya and Nepal. WhatsApp has indicated that a global rollout will follow from September 2026, gradually extending the feature to users worldwide.

The move reflects a broader push by messaging platforms to reduce reliance on phone numbers as the default identifier for online interactions, as users increasingly seek ways to engage with apps and contacts while keeping personal details private.