First reported by bsky
WhatsApp launches username reservation feature to let users chat without sharing phone numbers
WhatsApp Introduces Optional Usernames, Shifting Away From Phone Number Sharing
By
Egline Samoei
1d ago· 19 min readenNews
Summary
WhatsApp is rolling out a major identity change by introducing optional usernames, allowing users to connect without immediately sharing their phone numbers. Announced on June 29, 2026, the feature aims to enhance privacy by letting people message individuals or businesses using a reserved username. This marks a significant shift for the platform, which has historically been built entirely around phone numbers as the primary identifier.
Source
bskyWhatsApp Introduces Optional Usernames, Shifting Away From Phone Number Sharingimpactnews-wire.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledOn June 29, 2026, WhatsApp announced that users can begin reserving optional usernames ahead of the full rollout later in the year.
The company says usernames are meant to make WhatsApp 'even more private' by allowing people to message a person or business without sharing phone numbers.
For a platform built around phone numbers, this is a major shift.
WhatsApp is preparing for one of its biggest identity changes in years. For the first time, the platform is giving users a way to connect through usernames instead of immediately sharing phone numb…
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