After years of speculation, WhatsApp may finally introduce a feature that users of other messaging platforms have long taken for granted: usernames. The Meta-owned service, which has always tied accounts to phone numbers, is reportedly preparing to let users reserve unique handles ahead of a wider rollout.
According to details spotted in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android by WABetaInfo, the app’s settings now include a new option that lets users claim their desired username. This early reservation process suggests Meta plans a staggered release, likely to prevent impersonation issues and allow existing users to secure their preferred identities before the feature goes public.
The change would mark a significant shift for WhatsApp. Since its launch, the app’s reliance on phone numbers has been both a strength and a limitation. It makes connecting with known contacts easy, but it also exposes phone numbers to strangers, posing privacy and security risks. It becomes particularly inconvenient when users change numbers or want to communicate without revealing personal contact details.
Competitors such as Telegram and Signal have long offered username systems, allowing users to chat without sharing personal identifiers. Even Apple’s iMessage lets users connect via email addresses, giving them more flexibility and control over privacy. WhatsApp’s delayed move in this direction underscores how cautious Meta has been about altering the app’s fundamental identity system — a decision likely influenced by the complexity of managing more than 3 billion monthly active users.
Allowing users to reserve usernames in advance appears to be Meta’s way of easing into this transition. Migrating billions of accounts while maintaining the platform’s security and reliability presents a formidable technical challenge. Still, the eventual introduction of usernames would modernize WhatsApp’s user experience, bringing it closer to the privacy standards already common across the messaging landscape.
For many, this update can’t come soon enough. The ability to choose a username not only helps protect privacy but also allows for more flexible communication — particularly for users who interact with businesses, communities, or people outside their personal network. If WhatsApp delivers on this long-awaited feature, it could reduce one of the app’s few lingering disadvantages compared to its rivals.
