WhatsApp is rolling out usernames globally over the coming months, letting users chat without sharing phone numbers. The feature addresses a long-standing privacy concern on the platform, which has always required phone numbers as the primary identifier.
Users can now create custom usernames and choose whether to display their phone number publicly. Contacts can add each other using usernames alone, reducing exposure of personal phone data. The rollout happens gradually across both iOS and Android.
Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, positions this as a privacy enhancement in a messaging landscape where competitors like Signal and Telegram already offer username-based contact methods. WhatsApp processes over 100 billion messages daily, making any protocol shift significant for the broader messaging ecosystem.
The feature appeals to users who want to maintain anonymity or separate their messaging identity from their phone number, particularly relevant for business accounts and public figures. It also reduces friction for users who change numbers frequently or want to control who can contact them.
This move reflects growing user demand for privacy controls and alternative contact methods. Telegram's username system has long been a differentiator, and the adoption of similar features by WhatsApp signals the normalization of privacy-first contact methods across major platforms. The gradual rollout suggests Meta is testing compatibility across its massive user base before full implementation.