WhatsApp to close privacy loophole by allowing usernames
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Meta said it is closing a privacy loophole on WhatsApp by allowing users to create a username for group conversations instead of sharing their personal phone number.
That change, announced Monday, is expected to happen later this year as the company slowly rolls it out across the world.
“Usernames are our latest step to make WhatsApp even more private,” the company said in a statement . “There’s no directory to browse and no suggestions — people will need to know your exact username to contact you for the first time.
“To help control who can reach you on WhatsApp with your username, we’ve built an optional username key that others will need to know to message you.”
your phone number is personal and sometimes you want to connect without handing it over. that's why we're introducing usernames for WhatsApp.
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) June 29, 2026
starting this week, you can reserve a username to use later this year when we launch the feature. It takes just a few seconds, make sure…
Reserve username before launch
Meta said it is being proactive about the upcoming privacy measure by allowing people to reserve a username this week ahead of the new feature’s launch.
“With over three billion people on WhatsApp a lot of names overlap, which is why we’re opening reservations early so everyone has the opportunity to select the username that matters to them,” Meta said.
The company said people or organizations who use the same handle for their businesses or social media accounts will also be able to reserve those usernames in advance.
In addition, Meta will also offer users a name generator if they need help selecting a chat handle.
“Once we launch usernames, when you message a person or business for the first time they will no longer see your phone number, if you enabled your username,” the company said.
How to create a username
Users can reserve the optional username by ensuring they have the latest version of WhatsApp and going into settings and selecting account and then username.
“We’ll be rolling out usernames gradually over the coming months and will notify you in WhatsApp when they’re available in your country,” Meta said.
WhatsApp was asked on social media how they would handle scammers hiding behind a username who are not able to be properly identified to authorities.
we've put multiple layers of defense in place: username keys limit who can reach you, we limit how many new people any account can contact, and our systems detect and block abuse patterns. if something feels off, report it in the app.
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) June 29, 2026
The company said multiple layers of protections have been put in place, including username keys limiting who can reach a user and a limit on how many new people any account can contact.
In addition, Meta said their systems will detect and block abuse patterns in the app.
“If something feels off, report it in the app,” the company said.