WhatsApp to Launch Usernames for Private Chats
News Desk
Islamabad: WhatsApp, the world’s most popular messaging app, is developing a long-awaited usernames feature, currently in the testing phase. According to information revealed by WABetaInfo, this new system will allow users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers, addressing long-standing privacy concerns.
Currently, initiating a chat on WhatsApp requires users to exchange contact numbers. The upcoming update will change that by letting users create unique usernames, similar to features already available on platforms like Telegram and Signal. While usernames will still be linked to phone numbers behind the scenes, only the user handle will be visible to others.
The feature comes with specific formatting rules for usernames:
- Must be 3 to 30 characters long
- Must include at least one letter
- Can include lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores
- Cannot begin with “www.” or end in domain suffixes like “.com”
Users will be able to change their usernames, and updates will be visible to contacts to help prevent impersonation. A username availability checker is also being introduced on WhatsApp Web to simplify the process of selecting a handle.
Although WhatsApp hasn’t confirmed an official release date, testing progress suggests a global rollout is on the horizon. If launched, this will mark one of the most significant privacy-focused updates to WhatsApp in recent years—particularly useful for public group chats, professional exchanges, and temporary conversations.
In addition, WhatsApp—owned by Meta—is working on a new status sharing control feature. Spotted in Android Beta version 2.25.16.16, this functionality will allow users to decide whether their contacts can share or forward their status updates. The feature is expected to be released globally in the coming weeks, giving users even more control over their personal content.
