{"id":187702,"date":"2026-06-29T21:10:23","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T02:40:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=187702"},"modified":"2026-06-29T21:10:23","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T02:40:23","slug":"how-does-whatsapps-new-username-feature-work-heres-how-you-can-chat-without-phone-number","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=187702","title":{"rendered":"How does WhatsApp&#8217;s new username feature work? Here&#8217;s how you can chat without phone number"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"storyParagraphFigure\">\n<p class=\"content\">WhatsApp users will soon have a new way to connect without revealing their phone numbers. Ahead of a broader update planned for later this year, the messaging platform has started rolling out username reservations, allowing people to claim a unique handle before the feature becomes widely available.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"artImage leadImage\">\n<div class=\" \"><picture class=\"leadImageClass\"><source media=\"(min-width:768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/ht-img\/img\/2026\/06\/30\/550x309\/WhatsApp_1774592437243_1774592443358_1782785262319_743a58f8-2f4e-4218-a7f6-21a23a7a7274.jpg\" alt=\"The move marks one of WhatsApp's biggest privacy-focused changes. (Pixabay)\"\/><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/ht-img\/img\/2026\/06\/30\/400x225\/WhatsApp_1774592437243_1774592443358_1782785262319_743a58f8-2f4e-4218-a7f6-21a23a7a7274.jpg\" alt=\"The move marks one of WhatsApp's biggest privacy-focused changes. (Pixabay)\" title=\"The move marks one of WhatsApp's biggest privacy-focused changes. (Pixabay)\" width=\"360\" height=\"202\" loading=\"eager\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"\">The move marks one of WhatsApp&#8217;s biggest privacy-focused changes. (Pixabay)<span\/><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"content \">The move marks one of WhatsApp&#8217;s biggest privacy-focused changes, giving users the option to start conversations using a username instead of sharing their mobile number. The company announced the feature in an official blog post on Monday, saying the rollout will happen gradually over the coming months, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.whatsapp.com\/its-time-to-reserve-your-whatsapp-username\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"backlink\" data-vars-page-type=\"story\" data-vars-link-type=\"Manual\" data-vars-anchor-text=\"according t\">according t<\/a>o a WhatsApp <\/p>\n<div class=\"content \">\n<h2>Users can reserve usernames<\/h2>\n<p>WhatsApp has begun allowing users to reserve a username in advance so they have a better chance of securing the handle they want. The company said this early reservation process is necessary because the platform now has more than three billion users worldwide.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"content \"><strong>Also read |<\/strong> <a class=\"backlink\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/world-news\/whatsapp-to-let-users-reserve-usernames-ahead-of-feature-rollout-phone-numbers-can-stay-private-101782755716075.html\" data-vars-page-type=\"story\" data-vars-link-type=\"Manual\" data-vars-anchor-text=\"WhatsApp to let users reserve usernames ahead of feature rollout; phone numbers can stay private\" rel=\"noopener\">WhatsApp to let users reserve usernames ahead of feature rollout; phone numbers can stay private<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"content \">The feature is optional and will eventually let users replace their phone number with a username when messaging someone for the first time, provided the option is enabled.<\/p>\n<div class=\"content \">\n<h2>How to reserve a WhatsApp username<\/h2>\n<p>According to WhatsApp, users can check whether the feature is available by updating the app to its latest version and going to Settings &gt; Account &gt; Username.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"content \"><strong>Also read | <\/strong><a class=\"backlink\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/trending\/whatsapps-new-indian-ceo-gives-eerie-warning-on-ai-college-graduates-will-have-bigger-struggles-101782467477443.html\" data-vars-page-type=\"story\" data-vars-link-type=\"Manual\" data-vars-anchor-text=\"WhatsApp\u2019s new Indian CEO gives eerie warning on AI: \u2018College graduates will have bigger struggles\u2019\" rel=\"noopener\">WhatsApp\u2019s new Indian CEO gives eerie warning on AI: \u2018College graduates will have bigger struggles\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"content \">The company said users will receive an in-app notification once the feature becomes available in their country.<\/p>\n<p class=\"content \">If a preferred username has already been taken, WhatsApp will provide a built-in username generator that suggests alternative unique handles.<\/p>\n<div class=\"content \">\n<h2> Focus on privacy and reducing unwanted messages<\/h2>\n<p>Unlike many social media platforms, WhatsApp said it will not introduce a searchable username directory. Instead, people will only be able to contact someone if they already know the exact username.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"content \">The company said this approach is designed to reduce spam and unsolicited messages while giving users greater control over who can reach them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"content \"><strong>Also read | <\/strong><a class=\"backlink\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/india-news\/cred-founder-kunal-shah-to-be-new-boss-of-whatsapp-meta-announces-101782134843308.html\" data-vars-page-type=\"story\" data-vars-link-type=\"Manual\" data-vars-anchor-text=\"WhatsApp gets Indian boss: Meta picks Cred founder Kunal Shah, pumps $900 million into his company too\" rel=\"noopener\">WhatsApp gets Indian boss: Meta picks Cred founder Kunal Shah, pumps $900 million into his company too<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"content \">WhatsApp is also introducing an optional username key, which users can share separately for an additional layer of protection. According to the company, this extra verification will help users decide who can initiate conversations using their username.<\/p>\n<div class=\"content \">\n<h2>Feature also aims to help creators and businesses<\/h2>\n<p>The new system is also intended to benefit creators, businesses and organisations that already have an established online identity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"content \">WhatsApp said eligible users will be able to reserve the same username they use on Instagram or Facebook, making it easier to maintain consistent branding across Meta&#8217;s platforms.<\/p>\n<p class=\"content \">WhatsApp clarified that usernames are entirely optional. Users who prefer sharing their phone numbers can continue using the app as they do now.<\/p>\n<p class=\"content \">The company also said there will be no public directory or recommendation system, ensuring usernames remain private unless users choose to share them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"content \">The rollout has already begun in phases, and availability will expand over the coming months. Users will receive an in-app notification once the feature reaches their region.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/india-news\/how-does-whatsapps-new-username-feature-work-heres-how-you-can-chat-without-sharing-phone-number-101782784592228.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WhatsApp users will soon have a new way to connect without revealing their phone numbers. Ahead of a broader update planned for later this year, the messaging platform has started&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":187703,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-187702","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WhatsApp_1774592437243_1774592443358_1782785262319_743a58f8-2f4e-4218-a7f6-21a23a7a7274.jpg","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":187678,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=187678","url_meta":{"origin":187702,"position":0},"title":"Big update! 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Know how it will work and its big benefits.news immediatelyMobile number will remain completely private!\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Top Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Top Stories","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=119"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WhatsApp-username-2026-06-f35009bf269a32c6fee8d7f96259f718-1200x675.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WhatsApp-username-2026-06-f35009bf269a32c6fee8d7f96259f718-1200x675.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WhatsApp-username-2026-06-f35009bf269a32c6fee8d7f96259f718-1200x675.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WhatsApp-username-2026-06-f35009bf269a32c6fee8d7f96259f718-1200x675.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/WhatsApp-username-2026-06-f35009bf269a32c6fee8d7f96259f718-1200x675.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":173586,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=173586","url_meta":{"origin":187702,"position":1},"title":"Big update of WhatsApp! Now chat without telling the number, cool feature has arrived I whatsapp username feature hide phone number how to set up","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"May 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Powered by :Last Updated:May 28, 2026, 15:35 ISTWhatsApp has brought a big privacy feature for its users. Now people will not need to share their mobile number to chat with anyone. The company is gradually rolling out the username feature, which will allow users to create a unique username for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Top Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Top Stories","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=119"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsApp-2026-05-c8d98c36ff7a91de41711b1b5142fa48-1200x675.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsApp-2026-05-c8d98c36ff7a91de41711b1b5142fa48-1200x675.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsApp-2026-05-c8d98c36ff7a91de41711b1b5142fa48-1200x675.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsApp-2026-05-c8d98c36ff7a91de41711b1b5142fa48-1200x675.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WhatsApp-2026-05-c8d98c36ff7a91de41711b1b5142fa48-1200x675.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":183246,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=183246","url_meta":{"origin":187702,"position":2},"title":"You will be able to send private messages on WhatsApp, it will disappear after reading once, Spoiler Messages feature will also come soon","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 20, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"WhatsApp may soon bring a new privacy feature for its users. 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