Exchanging numbers could soon be a thing of the past – as WhatsApp is introducing a feature to let people chat via username.
The move, which will be rolled out globally over the next few months, will remove the need to reveal your phone number to send someone a message.
The app has started introducing username reservations to some users across the UK this week, although it appears to be a phased rollout rather than an immediate country-wide release.
But with three billion account holders globally, you’ll have to be quick to get the one you want.
‘We have designed this as a core privacy feature,’ Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp’s vice president of product, said.
‘People will need to know your exact username to contact you for the first time.’
Catchy online handles are highly coveted and users will likely scramble to claim a desirable one.
‘I think a lot of people will go and get usernames and that’s why we decided to open reservations early,’ Ms Newton-Rex said.
The app has started introducing username reservations to some users across the UK this week. It will remove the need to reveal your phone number to send someone a message
Companies, organisations and creators with existing accounts on Meta’s social media platforms – Instagram and Facebook – will get the chance to claim their usernames on WhatsApp.
Usernames need to be between three and 35 characters. To prevent impersonation, WhatsApp will hold back usernames for high-profile people or groups such as celebrities, public figures and government entities.
The reservation feature is being rolled out gradually by country and account, so even if you’ve updated the app, you may not have it yet.
WhatsApp said you’ll receive an in-app notification when username reservations become available for you.
In a blog post titled ‘It’s time to reserve your WhatsApp username’, the company said: ‘When someone new walks into your life — a classmate, a neighbour, someone you meet at an event — sharing a phone number can feel like a big step.
‘That’s because a phone number is personal and it’s tied to so many parts of your life. Sometimes you just want to chat without handing over your digits.
‘That’s why we’re introducing usernames for WhatsApp. Starting this week, you can reserve a username to use later this year when we launch this feature.
‘With over three billion people on WhatsApp a lot of names overlap, which is why we’re opening reservations early so everyone has the opportunity to select the username that matters to them.’
Exchanging numbers could soon be a thing of the past – as WhatsApp is introducing a feature to let people chat via username
It suggests creating a username that is unique and something only people you want to contact you will know.
It has also developed a username generator to help people come up with one.
‘There’s no directory to browse and no suggestions – people will need to know your exact username to contact you for the first time,’ the blog reads.
‘To help control who can reach you on WhatsApp with your username, we’ve built an optional username key that others will need to know to message you.’
A username key is an optional setting that gives you more control over who can contact you by your username.
If you enable a key, people who want to reach you by your username will need to enter your username key before they can send you a message for the first time.
This can help protect against unwanted messages. People who already have your phone number or are in a group with you won’t need your key to message you.
Users will receive a notification once the feature goes live later this year.
You can change your reserved username or delete it at any time. If you change or delete your reserved username, it may become available for others to claim.
However, the feature is completely optional and you can still hand out your phone number if you prefer.
WhatsApp’s current privacy settings are limited to blocking individual users and silencing unknown callers.
The app also allows users to add a profile name, but that’s only displayed in chat groups for other people who don’t have the user’s contact info saved.
