WhatsApp has been working on a usernames feature to let users connect with others without the need to share their phone numbers. It has been under testing for quite some time but now the platform is finally rolling out usernames for select Android and iOS users.
WhatsApp Username Feature: How Does It Work?
First spotted by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp has begun gradually rolling out the usernames feature to a limited audience who have the stable version of the app on Android as well as on iOS. Users can find this new feature under the Profile settings option.
If the option is available, people can tap on it to set up their WhatsApp username. Before creating a new username, it is important to know that the username can only contain lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), periods, and underscores.
The WhatsApp username cannot start with (www) or end with a domain like (.com or .net). It also needs to be unique and shouldn't be taken across Instagram and Facebook. This is to safeguard against the misuse of existing usernames, scams and spyware on WhatsApp. However, people can link their Instagram or Facebook usernames to make it easier for others to find them.
Once the WhatsApp username is set up, it needs to be linked in the Meta Accounts Centre. The platform also allows users to set up a username key for added privacy. This is a one-time key required for users who want to initiate a chat with an unknown person to ensure both parties know each other already.
To message people through usernames, people need to go to their contact list and find people through the WhatsApp Username search. Once the account shows up, they can tap on it to start chatting. In case the account has a username key, then they will need to enter it before initiating the conversation. It is worth noting that chats started with usernames will remain end-to-end encrypted as usual.
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