How to secure your WhatsApp username

      Three to 35 characters, no public directory, and reservations are currently open.

      Meta

      WhatsApp username reservations are now available worldwide. Although a phone number is still required to create an account, usernames allow you to start conversations without disclosing your phone number.

      Claiming your username will take less than a minute, but you will need to come prepared with all the necessary details.

      WhatsApp

      What should you be aware of before reserving your username?

      Your username must be between 3 and 35 characters and must adhere to WhatsApp’s policies. Aside from these requirements, you have a good deal of freedom in choosing your username.

      WhatsApp has already reserved certain usernames for prominent celebrities, VIPs, and verified organizations, so those names are unavailable.

      If you’re unsure, WhatsApp’s built-in generator can provide suggestions for unique usernames.

      Meta

      How can you reserve your username?

      Navigate to Settings > Account > Username in the latest version of WhatsApp. After that, you can input your desired username, and the app will inform you of its availability. Additionally, the app will offer suggestions for usernames that are available.

      As shown in the screenshot, you can also utilize your Instagram or Facebook username.

      Once you choose a username, it will be linked to your WhatsApp account and will be visible when the feature launches later this year. If the option isn’t currently visible, be patient. WhatsApp is rolling this out gradually, and you’ll receive a notification in the app once it's available in your country.

      When it becomes available, anyone messaging you for the first time will not see your phone number, provided you have activated your username. For added security, you can also set an optional username key that contacts must use along with your username to message you.

      WhatsApp

      If you later decide to change your mind, WhatsApp will allow you to modify or remove your username.

      The significance of usernames

      WhatsApp usernames mirror a trend established by Signal, which introduced contact discovery without phone numbers in 2024. Telegram has had this feature for several years.

      This new addition addresses one of WhatsApp’s most persistent privacy shortcomings. Sharing your contact information within the app has always required revealing your phone number, complicating the effort to keep personal, professional, and public connections separate.

      For over five years, Shikhar has been dedicated to simplifying advances in consumer technology and making them accessible…

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