WhatsApp now lets you reserve usernames

In a highly anticipated update, WhatsApp has unveiled a new feature allowing users to select usernames, enabling them to share their profiles without revealing their phone numbers. However, the app will still require a phone number for account creation. This feature, in development for several years, is now set to begin rolling out later this year. Users can choose a username ranging from 3 to 35 characters. WhatsApp is reserving usernames for notable figures such as celebrities and organizations, while also allowing regular users to select their own, provided they adhere to the platform's guidelines. Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, mentioned that businesses and creators can align their usernames with those from Facebook or Instagram for consistency across platforms. Notifications will inform users when the username reservation feature becomes available in their region, and they can select their usernames through Settings > Account > Username. To further enhance user control, WhatsApp will introduce a username key, which others will need to know in order to message them. This move aims to prevent username duplication among its vast user base of over 3 billion. Importantly, usernames will not be searchable within the app; only those who know the exact username can initiate contact. Users retain the flexibility to disable this feature or change their username whenever they choose. Alice Newton-Rex, Vice President and Head of Product at WhatsApp, emphasized the importance of privacy, stating, "When you meet someone new, sharing your phone number can feel like a big step. Usernames are designed to give you control over who gets to see your phone number." Currently, users must share their usernames either through verbal communication or text, as there is no QR code scanning feature available yet. This rollout comes as WhatsApp aims to compete with other messaging platforms that have long offered similar privacy options, such as Telegram and Signal.