WhatsApp Introduces Usernames to Replace Phone Numbers for Account Sharing

WhatsApp announced it will soon allow users to select usernames as an alternative to sharing their phone numbers for account identification. Since its inception as an internet-based alternative to SMS, WhatsApp has relied primarily on phone numbers for user identification. While a valid phone number will still be required to create a new account, users will gradually gain the option to choose a username in the coming months.

Starting today, WhatsApp is rolling out the ability for users to reserve usernames, with the official launch of sharing accounts via usernames planned for later this year. Usernames can be between 3 and 40 characters long, though WhatsApp has pre-reserved prominent names for celebrities and organizations. Additionally, users of Facebook and Instagram will be able to transfer their existing usernames to WhatsApp.

Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp’s product manager, explained that sharing a phone number can feel intrusive when meeting new people, as phone numbers are personal and linked to many aspects of life. The username feature aims to give users more control over who can see their phone numbers. This update narrows a significant feature gap between WhatsApp and competitors like Telegram and Signal, which have offered usernames for years.