WhatsApp New Update Lets You Chat Without Sharing Your Phone Number

WhatsApp is preparing to introduce usernames, a feature that allows users to chat without sharing their phone numbers.

According to reports from WABetaInfo, the feature is already rolling out to a small group of beta testers and will expand gradually in the coming months.

This marks a major shift from WhatsApp’s long-standing system, where a phone number has always been required to connect with others. With usernames, users will instead be able to share a unique handle to start conversations, bringing WhatsApp closer to platforms like Telegram and Signal.

However, WhatsApp will still require a phone number to create an account, for now. The difference is that you won’t need to share it with people you chat with.

How WhatsApp usernames will work

Once the feature reaches your account, you’ll find it in:

Settings => Profile => Username

From there, users can create a unique handle. The process is designed to be simple, with clear rules:

• Must be 3–35 characters long
• Must include at least one letter
• Can use lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores
• Cannot start with “www.” or end with domains like “.com” or “.net”

There’s also a cross-platform twist. If a username already exists on Instagram or Facebook, users may need to verify ownership through Meta’s Accounts Center before using it on WhatsApp.

WhatsApp is also testing an optional “username key,” a four-digit code that adds another layer of protection. With this enabled, someone would need both your username and the key to message you for the first time. This could help limit spam and unwanted messages, especially for users who share their usernames publicly.

The update doesn’t just change how people connect; it also affects how they’re found. Users will be able to search for others directly by username. If a key is enabled, it must be entered before starting a conversation. Importantly, all messages remain protected by WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption.

A slow, careful rollout

WhatsApp isn’t rushing this feature.

WABetaInfo reports that the company has spent years refining the system to ensure compatibility across its apps and features. As a result, usernames are being released in a phased rollout, starting with a limited number of users on Android and iOS beta versions. Even with the latest updates installed, many users won’t see the feature yet.

As Apple and Google push forward with encrypted RCS messaging, WhatsApp is doubling down on privacy-focused tools. Alongside usernames, the platform is also experimenting with features like “view once” text messages that disappear after being read.

Also read: WhatsApp’s move toward usernames fits a broader privacy push at Meta, which recently added new scam alerts across WhatsApp, Messenger, and Facebook.