WhatsApp usernames feature lets you chat without sharing your phone number

The WhatsApp usernames feature allows people to create a unique username that others can use to connect with them. From Monday, users can reserve a username through the app, although using one will remain optional.

With WhatsApp chat without phone number, users will be able to exchange usernames instead of mobile numbers when starting a conversation.

The company says this change will give people more privacy, especially when chatting in groups or speaking to someone for the first time.

Users can change or remove their usernames whenever they want. Usernames can be up to 35 characters long, but certain names linked to public figures and celebrities will be protected to prevent impersonation.

According to WhatsApp’s Head of Product, Alice Newton-Rex, many users requested a way to communicate without revealing their personal contact details.

She said the WhatsApp privacy update gives users more control over how they appear on the platform.

The WhatsApp usernames feature is similar to one introduced by the Signal messaging app in 2024.

Privacy experts welcomed the idea but pointed out that WhatsApp still collects metadata, such as who users contact and when they send messages, for advertising-related purposes.

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WhatsApp stressed that private messages remain protected through end-to-end encryption, meaning neither WhatsApp nor its parent company Meta can read users’ conversations.

Even after the rollout, a WhatsApp phone number will still be required to create an account. However, once the feature is fully available, users can choose WhatsApp chat without phone number by sharing only their usernames.

There will also be no public directory to search for usernames. The company has also announced a leadership change, with Kunal Shah set to take over as the new head of WhatsApp, replacing Will Cathcart after seven years.