WhatsApp says it's time to reserve your username: here’s how
WhatsApp will replace phone numbers with usernames in the coming months.
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WhatsApp is rolling out usernames over the next few months, letting people share a handle instead of their phone number.
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The feature is designed to improve privacy, since users will need your exact username to contact you, and your phone number can be hidden.
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Users can start reserving usernames now in the app settings, and creators, businesses, and organizations can match names they use on Instagram or Facebook.
WhatsApp is introducing usernames, allowing users to share their account handle instead of their phone number.
The company announced that the rollout of the new feature will be gradual and take place over the coming months.
In the meantime, WhatsApp is encouraging users to “reserve” their usernames before the feature is officially out.
“With over three billion people on WhatsApp a lot of names overlap, which is why we’re opening reservations early so everyone has the opportunity to select the username that matters to them,” shared WhatsApp.
To reserve your username, make sure you have the latest app version, then go to settings, select “Account,” and tap “Username.” If you’re not seeing this option yet, it’s because the reservation feature is also being rolled out gradually.
For those who struggle to come up with a username, WhatsApp offers a username generator.
Creators, businesses, and organizations can claim the same username they use on Instagram or Facebook, the company noted.
How will the new WhatsApp username feature work?
Providing someone with a username is supposed to be a safer option than giving your phone number.
The app won’t have a browsing window for finding someone, and it will not provide user suggestions.
“People will need to know your exact username to contact you for the first time,” says WhatsApp.
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For an additional layer of privacy, the company is also introducing an “optional username key that others will need to know to message you.”
Once the new feature is introduced, the app will no longer display users' phone numbers when the username option is enabled.
FAQ about the WhatsApp username feature
When will WhatsApp introduce usernames?
The username feature will be rolled out gradually over the coming months. The company shared that it will notify users once the feature is available in their country.
How will the WhatsApp username feature work?
The username feature will work the same way as adding a person using their phone number. According to the company, others won’t be able to search for your username, and it won't appear as a suggestion.
How can you reserve your username on WhatsApp?
To reserve your username, you need the latest version of WhatsApp. Go to Settings, select “Account,” and “Username.” Content creators, businesses, and organizations can claim to use the same username they use on other social media platforms, such as Instagram or Facebook.
FAQ by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
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