WhatsApp just opened one of its most requested privacy features. You can now reserve your WhatsApp username, which is a unique handle that allows people to reach you on WhatsApp without requiring your phone number. I just got the feature on my phone and I have already gone ahead and reserved my WhatsApp username. With over 3 billion WhatsApp users, all the good handles are going to disappear soon. On that note, here is how to claim yours.
What is the WhatsApp Username Feature?
A WhatsApp username is a unique handle that works like your identity on the app. It's similar to your Instagram username or X handle. Instead of giving your phone number when you meet someone new, you can simply share your WhatsApp username. This way, your number stays hidden and private.
The important point is that your WhatsApp username is not part of any searchable social network. There is no public directory and no autocomplete suggestions so someone needs to know your exact username to reach you for the first time. Note that you still need a phone number to create and register your account.
WhatsApp first began rolling out the WhatsApp usernames feature to a small group of testers in April this year and it's now opening reservations to everyone.
Apart from that, your username must be 3 to 35 characters and can only use lowercase letters, numbers, periods and underscores. It must include at least one letter, so it can't be all numbers or your phone number. It also can't start with "www." or end with a domain like .com or .net and it can't start or end with a period.
Your username also needs to be free across Meta so if the name is already taken on Instagram or Facebook, you can't claim it on WhatsApp. The one exception is your own username: if you already own it on Instagram or Facebook, you can claim it by linking your accounts in Accounts Centre. For now, WhatsApp is holding back usernames for celebrities, public figures and government bodies to stop impersonation.
How to Reserve Your WhatsApp Username
Here is how to reserve your WhatsApp username on Android and iPhone right now. Also note that you can only reserve from the phone app at the moment, not from WhatsApp Web or Desktop app.
- First off, update WhatsApp to the latest version from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. I got the username feature on version 2.26.24.80.
- Now, open WhatsApp and go to Settings. After that, open Account.
- Here, under the "Your account" section, you will find Username. Tap on it.
- On the "Reserve username" screen, tap on Create username. If you want to match an existing username, you can instead tap on Use Instagram username or Use Facebook username.
- Now, enter the username you want to reserve on WhatsApp. WhatsApp checks it in real time and shows a green tick when the username is available.
- Next, confirm the reservation on the next screen.
- Note that this adds WhatsApp to your Accounts Centre, which means you agree to Meta combining your info across accounts.
- That's it. You have now reserved your WhatsApp username.
Bear in mind that this only reserves your username for now. WhatsApp says usernames are coming soon and will notify you when yours is ready to use, so you can't share it as a contact method just yet.
Control Who Can Contact You by WhatsApp Username
Once your username is reserved, head back to Settings > Account > Username to manage how people reach you. You will find a Contact me by username option. Here, the default is set to Everyone. You can also choose People who know my key.
It's an optional username key, which is a code that new contacts must enter along with your username before they can reach you. This is an important feature as it can guard you against spam if you plan to share your username in public.
Do Not See the Username Option Yet?
If the Username option is missing under Account settings, do not worry. WhatsApp has just opened username reservations and it's going to widely roll out over the coming months. Keep WhatsApp updated and check back in a few days. WhatsApp will also notify you in the app once the feature goes fully live in your region.
For now, the important move is to reserve your WhatsApp username the moment you get access before the handle is claimed by someone else.
