San Francisco / Menlo Park, June 29, 2026 — WhatsApp has started rolling out the ability for users to reserve unique usernames, marking the beginning of a major privacy upgrade for the world’s most popular messaging app.
In an official announcement posted today on X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp revealed that users can now claim a handle ahead of the full username feature launching later this year. The move allows people to connect, chat, and interact without sharing their personal phone number.
“Your phone number is personal and sometimes you want to connect without handing it over. That’s why we’re introducing usernames for WhatsApp,” the company stated.
How to Reserve Your Username
Starting this week, users with the latest version of WhatsApp can reserve a username by navigating to:
Settings > Account > Username.
Reservations are being rolled out gradually throughout the week. Not everyone will see the option immediately — WhatsApp has confirmed that users will be notified in-app when it becomes available in their region. The company emphasized keeping the app updated to access the feature as soon as possible.
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The full username system — which will let users find and message others via @username instead of (or in addition to) a phone number — is expected later in 2026.
Why This Matters
For over 15 years, WhatsApp has been tied exclusively to phone numbers for registration, discovery, and contact. This created friction for users who wanted to connect with new people (strangers, business contacts, online communities) without revealing their private number.
Usernames address this directly. Similar to features long available on Telegram (since around 2014), Instagram, and other platforms, the change gives users more control over their privacy while still requiring a phone number to create and secure an account.
WhatsApp has stressed that usernames are optional and do not replace phone numbers for registration. The company also highlighted built-in safeguards: “Username keys limit who can reach you, we limit how many new people any account can contact, and our systems detect and block abuse patterns.”
Background and Anticipation
The feature has been widely anticipated. Leaks, beta testing, and industry reports throughout 2025 and early 2026 pointed to a 2026 rollout, with businesses expected to adapt systems by mid-year. Today’s announcement confirms the reservation phase has officially begun.
Early Reactions
The announcement quickly gained traction, with the post amassing millions of views and thousands of likes, reposts, and replies within hours.
Many users celebrated the privacy upgrade:
- “This is actually a huge privacy upgrade. Sometimes you just want to connect without sharing your personal line.”
- “Finally, a way to connect without giving away your number.”
Others expressed impatience with the gradual rollout or compared it to competitors:
- Some noted Telegram had usernames for over a decade.
- Others reported the option not yet appearing on their devices (especially iOS or in certain regions) and asked for faster global availability.
WhatsApp has been actively responding to feedback in replies, reiterating the phased rollout and privacy-first approach.
What’s Next?
Once fully launched, usernames are expected to make it easier to find people, join groups, and interact with businesses without phone number sharing. This could reshape how WhatsApp is used for everything from casual chats to customer service and community building.
The company has a history of careful, privacy-focused rollouts, and early indications suggest usernames will come with strong anti-abuse measures.
For now, the advice is simple: Update your WhatsApp app and check Settings > Account > Username over the coming days to secure your preferred handle before the full feature goes live later this year.
Stay tuned — this is one of the biggest changes to WhatsApp’s core identity system in its history.
