Coming soon! Usernames instead of phone numbers on WhatsApp.
Loading reactions…
Gordon
Yes, I got to reserve my username earlier as well. One of the big concerns you have when it comes to WhatsApp groups is the fact that sometimes spammers will find their way into the groups then they have your phone number. So this username business is something that’s going to make a lot of people happy.
Loading reactions…
Gordon
I don’t know why it took up so long to get usernames because it’s so big and pretty much everybody is on WhatsApp. But telegram, Signal and others have had usernames for years.
Loading reactions…
jason
Loading reactions…
Gordon
WhatsApp will still work the way that it always has, usernames aren’t replacing phone numbers. You’ll still need a phone number to register, but your username can be given out instead of your phone number along with showing up in groups that you’re a part of instead of your phone number. So I’ll be able to say contact me on WhatsApp at Gordon 2026.
Loading reactions…
Rachel B
Loading reactions…
DevilishAnthony
Loading reactions…
Mark Driesenga
Loading reactions…
DevilishAnthony
Loading reactions…
Milena
Loading reactions…
Allie Turner
Yeah I dismissed the popup when I got it yesterday, but I wonder if I did want to put a username, where would I find that?
Loading reactions…
Gordon
Go into settings on WhatsApp and then go to your account and you’ll see the button where you can reserve a username. You choose your username now but it’s not active until that goes into effect later and I’m not sure when that will be. It just says that usernames will be available soon. You can choose a new username or use your existing username for Instagram or Facebook or any other Meta product that you might have.
Loading reactions…
Gordon
They even have an additional layer of security with your username which is optional you can use it or you don’t have to use it. That is a pin number so that it takes your username and your pin number to be able to contact you privately on WhatsApp. This would be helpful if you’re in a large group and there are people in that group who have your username but yet you don’t wish for them to be able to contact you. They would have to have your username along with your pin in order to do that. So this option might be helpful if you’re joining large groups that could have sketchy people in them and you wanna take an extra precaution.
Loading reactions…
Allie Turner
I reserved mine. That's pretty cool.
Loading reactions…