WhatsApp will launch a new feature where users can opt for usernames and connect with others without putting mobile numbers. The feature is similar to the famous messaging app Telegram and also Instagram. The new update will allow users to share a unique username instead of their contact number for chats.
About feature development
“WhatsApp has worked to ensure that the username experience is stable and secure. For this reason, the rollout of usernames is taking a significant amount of time. Over the years, the code of the app has been extensively updated to make sure all existing features are fully compatible with usernames. So WhatsApp focused on testing and refining the feature carefully before making it widely available. It seems that WhatsApp is set to roll out the username feature to users as part of a phased rollout strategy over the coming months,” Whatsapp said in its blog.
Users will still have the option to continue using WhatsApp as usual if they so choose. Phone numbers will still be linked to accounts for login and recovery purposes, but each account will support a single username that can be changed at a later time without impacting chats or account activity.
How to setup
Soon, both Android and iPhone users of WhatsApp will be able to create usernames straight from the app’s Settings menu. Users must visit their profile settings, select the Username option when it appears, and pick a distinctive handle for their account in order to set one up. Before the chosen username can be kept, WhatsApp will automatically check if it is legitimate and accessible.
Safety first
In order to avoid confusion and abuse, the site is also implementing strict guidelines for usernames. Usernames can only contain letters, digits, periods, underscores, and at least one letter; they must be between three and thirty-five characters long. Some formats will not be accepted, such as usernames that start with “www,” finish in domain-style extensions, or have repeated periods.
What about user privacy?
By enabling users to communicate without disclosing their phone numbers, the function aims to increase privacy. Once enabled, users can speak with buyers, sellers, community organizations, or new connections using their usernames rather than their personal mobile numbers. Only the selected handle—rather than the associated phone number—will be visible to those who contact you using the username.
With a wider deployment anticipated later in 2026, WhatsApp has already begun testing usernames with a small number of iOS and Android users. According to the firm, usernames will continue to be optional, so users can continue to use WhatsApp with just their phone numbers if they so choose. Even once usernames are implemented, phone numbers will still be used for account sign-ins, verification, and recovery.
This article has been indexed from CySecurity News – Latest Information Security and Hacking Incidents
Read the original article: