WhatsApp is finally inching towards a privacy feature so fundamental, it’s baffling it wasn’t there from the start. The messaging app is working on introducing usernames, allowing users to interact without ever sharing their phone number.
Currently, WhatsApp still ties user identity to phone numbers. But that’s set to change. According to beta trackers, the latest test version shows Meta is working on a feature that will allow users to create unique usernames made up of letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. No web addresses, no special characters—just a straightforward handle.
The shift means usernames could soon serve as an alternative contact method, offering more control over who sees your phone number. If someone updates their username, WhatsApp will display a system notification in existing chats, keeping things transparent.
This update could significantly improve user privacy, especially in group settings, marketplaces, or professional conversations where giving out personal contact details isn’t ideal.
Still in development, the feature isn’t available to the public yet—but given the pace of testing, it’s likely not far off. Whether WhatsApp finally modernises the way we connect without oversharing remains to be seen, but the groundwork is clearly being laid.
