WhatsApp Rolls Out Username Feature to Beta Users

WhatsApp has begun a phased rollout of a long-awaited username feature to a limited number of beta users on Android and iOS devices, enabling them to connect and communicate without sharing their phone numbers.

The update, which started appearing in the latest beta versions of the app, allows eligible users to create a unique username linked to their account. To access it, users can navigate to the Settings menu and select their Profile section, where a dedicated username option will appear if the feature has been enabled for their account. Once activated, individuals can share their username with others to initiate chats or calls, providing a layer of privacy by keeping phone numbers hidden during interactions. However, a phone number remains necessary to create and maintain a WhatsApp account.

Development on the feature dates back to early 2023, with Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, conducting extensive testing to ensure compatibility with existing app functions and robust security measures. Officials have emphasized that the gradual rollout aims to maintain stability as the system integrates with the platform's billion-plus users worldwide. According to reports from feature...