WhatsApp Rolls Out Usernames to Protect Phone Number Privacy

WhatsApp, the Meta-owned messaging platform used by more than three billion people, officially began global username reservations on Monday. The new optional feature allows users to connect via a unique handle rather than sharing their phone number directly — a long-requested privacy enhancement that mirrors functionality already available on competing encrypted messaging app Signal, which introduced usernames in early 2023.

Unlike social media handles, WhatsApp usernames will not be searchable or displayed in a public directory. The platform will provide a username generator to help users secure a unique identifier, and users can further bolster their privacy with a username key — a secondary secret that anyone must know before initiating a first-time contact. According to a Meta spokesperson, keys can be reset at any time to block future inbound contact attempts. Content creators, small businesses, and organizations can also claim their existing Instagram or Facebook handles for cross-platform consistency. Once enabled, other accounts will no longer be able to view or access the user's phone number.

The move addresses a long-standing privacy gap in WhatsApp's design, where the phone number has historically served as the primary identifier. Users can reserve their username now by navigating to Settings > Account > Username, with general availability rolling out gradually over the coming months. While the feature won't replace phone numbers as the underlying account identifier, it adds a critical layer of separation between a user's identity on the platform and their personal contact information.

To assess your own messaging app privacy exposure, run a quick privacy checkup, and if you've ever shared your phone number broadly online, consider using our email breach checker to see whether your contact details have appeared in any known leaks. You can also verify whether your connection to WhatsApp's servers is properly secured with our DNS leak test.