The familiar question, "What is your number so I can add you to my contacts?" will become a thing of the past by the end of this year. Meta has initiated a major WhatsApp update that will allow users to communicate via the messenger without disclosing their mobile phone numbers.
How will it work? The process of registering and reserving unique usernames began on June 29, 2026. This rollout will occur in phases for over three billion users across the globe. Users do not need to take any special actions, as the application itself will send out notifications in sequence inviting them to claim their desired handle.
Usernames will be a combination of first and last names, beginning with the "@" symbol. However, due to the messenger's massive user base, many simple and popular names are expected to be claimed quickly. In these instances, users will have to be creative and include numbers or special characters to ensure their identifier is unique.
Privacy remains the primary goal. Developers pointed out that the main objective of this change is to bolster privacy levels. This is especially pertinent in cases where individuals are added to unfamiliar groups and chats without their knowledge or receive messages from unknown sources. Now, knowing someone's profile name will be sufficient to establish contact.
Additional protection against spam will also be introduced. Alongside usernames, WhatsApp is implementing an extra layer of security. Users will be able to link a four-digit security code to their profile. This code will be required during the initial contact between two people. Its primary function is to prevent unwanted messages and spam from strangers, serving as an additional barrier against scammers and persistent advertisers.
The full implementation of the username feature as an alternative to phone numbers is slated for completion by the end of 2026.
