Overview
- WhatsApp has begun a limited test that lets select users choose a unique @username so others can find and contact them without seeing a phone number.
- Meta says these handles work for voice and video calls, while full chat use has not been confirmed during the test period.
- Testers set a handle in profile settings under a new usernames option, then share it in place of their number once it is linked to the account.
- Usernames must be 3 to 35 characters, include at least one letter, and use only lowercase letters, numbers, periods, or underscores, and they cannot start with 'www' or end with domains like .com or .net.
- Approval requires that the handle be available across Meta apps or that the user proves ownership via Accounts Center, which also enables extras like posting WhatsApp status updates to Instagram, with a broader rollout planned over the coming weeks.