Overview
- WhatsApp announced the username feature on Thursday, July 2, 2026, and is rolling it out gradually while allowing people to reserve unique usernames immediately.
- Users who choose a username can hide their phone number when messaging or calling someone who does not already have their number saved.
- The app offers an optional four-digit PIN that others must enter before sending a first message to a username, and usernames must be 3 to 35 characters long.
- WhatsApp will not create a public searchable directory and requires knowing an exact username to make contact, while certain names are reserved to help block impersonation of public figures and official entities.
- Security experts and regulators have raised concerns about impersonation after early reservations in large markets such as India, and Meta says it will use cross-platform name claims and reserve high-risk names to reduce fraud.