WhatsApp is preparing one of its biggest changes in years – the ability to register and connect through usernames instead of phone numbers. For over a decade, WhatsApp has tied every account to a phone number, making it easy to find contacts but difficult for those who value privacy. 
Now, the app is finally catching up to competitors like Telegram and Signal, which have offered username-based identities for years.
In the most recent Android beta, WhatsApp introduced an early version of its username reservation system. This means users can now choose and reserve a unique name before the feature is officially rolled out to everyone. By allowing early reservations, WhatsApp hopes to prevent the chaos of people racing to grab common or desirable names once the system goes live. The idea is to create a fair and transparent process, similar to how social media platforms handle username claims.
According to the beta, usernames must include at least one letter and can only contain lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Names starting with “www.” are also disallowed to avoid impersonation or confusion with websites. This attention to detail hints at WhatsApp’s effort to balance personalization with safety.
Beyond convenience, this change carries serious privacy benefits. Many users dislike sharing their personal numbers, especially in public groups or with new acquaintances. A username system allows for communication without exposing sensitive contact details, reducing spam and unwanted calls. Still, some users are worried that scammers could exploit the new system by creating fake identities, a concern WhatsApp will likely need to address through stronger verification and reporting tools.
While the company hasn’t confirmed a release date yet, the fact that username reservation is already in beta suggests a public rollout could be just months away. When it finally arrives, WhatsApp’s long-awaited username system could redefine how we connect – making the app feel more like a true social platform rather than just a messaging service tied to your phone number.