Overview
- WhatsApp began opening username reservations in the app on Monday, letting users claim unique handles now before the feature is widely available later in 2026.
- Usernames must be unique, 3–35 characters long, and may include letters, numbers, periods and underscores, and WhatsApp will offer a built‑in generator to suggest available options.
- An optional username key acts like a PIN that others must know to message you for the first time, and users can reset the key to block new inbound contacts.
- Phone numbers remain required to create and keep an account and will still be visible to existing contacts and in existing chats and groups.
- WhatsApp says it will reserve high‑profile handles, block lookalike names, enforce contact limits and use automated detection to fight impersonation and spam, and Indian authorities have signaled a possible review over impersonation risks.