You can soon chat on WhatsApp without sharing your number

WhatsApp will soon allow users to connect without sharing their phone numbers. Ahead of the feature's official launch later this year, the company announced in a blog post that users can begin reserving unique usernames starting this week.

The move is being positioned as a privacy upgrade. A phone number, WhatsApp noted, is personal and tied to many parts of daily life, from two-factor authentication to banking. The new username system means someone can message you for the first time without ever seeing your digits.

To make sure everyone has a fair shot at the name they want, reservations are opening early, given that over three billion people use the app and many names overlap. Users who struggle to pick one can use an in-app username generator. For creators, small businesses, and organisations that want to keep a consistent identity online, WhatsApp is also offering the option to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook username on the platform.

Once live later this year, the feature will work without a searchable directory. Someone will need your exact username to make contact, and if you want an extra layer of control, you can enable an optional username key that others must know before they can message you. When you message a person or business for the first time with usernames active, your phone number will no longer be visible.

As the reservation rollout reaches your region, you can claim your handle in just a few seconds by navigating to Settings > Account > Username in the app. WhatsApp noted that while the reservation phase is being deployed gradually over the coming months, users will receive a direct in-app notification the moment the feature becomes active in their country.