WhatsApp has officially launched a global rollout of usernames, allowing users to connect without sharing their personal phone numbers. This privacy-focused feature, which began its deployment on June 29, 2026, aims to reduce exposure to unwanted contact and security risks by replacing the phone number as the primary identifier for new conversations.
A Shift in Privacy: Moving Beyond the Phone Number
For years, WhatsApp required users to exchange phone numbers to initiate any conversation, a practice that often exposed personal data in group chats or business interactions. The introduction of usernames marks a fundamental change in how the platform handles identity. By allowing users to reserve a unique handle, WhatsApp is moving toward a model similar to other social platforms like Instagram or Signal, where contact can be established without revealing a private mobile number.
According to reporting from Gestión, this change is designed to mitigate vectores de ataque
—security risks where malicious actors use phone numbers to track users or link their identities across different digital services. While the username adds a layer of separation, experts warn that it is not a complete shield. As noted by educators at CERTUS, visibility of profile photos, status, and connection information still depends on individual privacy settings.
How to Reserve Your Handle
The feature rollout, which began in late June 2026, allows users to secure their handles directly through the application. Users can navigate to Ajustes > Cuenta > Nombre de usuario
to check availability. The platform does not maintain a public directory, meaning users must provide their exact handle to others to initiate a connection. For those seeking extra protection, the system supports an optional clave de username
—a security code that must be known by the sender before they can successfully reach the recipient.
Jimmy Arias, a professor at UPC, stated via Gestión that the initiative seeks to avoid attack vectors so that cybercriminals cannot track users and deceive them through messages.
Impact on Businesses and WhatsApp Business Accounts
For the more than 200 million active business accounts on the platform, the transition to usernames offers both a security upgrade and a branding opportunity. Businesses are encouraged to unify their identity across the Meta ecosystem. By linking their WhatsApp handle to their verified names on Facebook or Instagram, companies can effectively block fraudulent accounts that attempt to impersonate their brand.
To ensure continuity for commercial operations, Meta has introduced a BSUID
(user ID), an identifier that remains constant even if a user opts to hide their phone number. This ensures that brands can continue to message existing customers without interruption. Furthermore, automated tools are being integrated to allow businesses to request contact information within the chat, which helps eliminate manual typing errors compared to traditional data collection methods.
Security Recommendations and Best Practices
Despite the added privacy, security experts emphasize that users should remain vigilant. Because usernames can be spoofed or imitated, users should verify the legitimacy of accounts, especially when interacting with banks or retail businesses. Experts also suggest avoiding handles that reveal sensitive information, such as full names, birth years, or workplace details, to minimize the digital footprint available to bad actors.
The Competitive Landscape of Private Messaging
WhatsApp’s move follows similar developments from competitors. According to reporting by El País, Signal adopted a similar username feature in 2024, though it implemented it with stricter requirements, such as forcing handles to end in digits to prevent impersonation. Telegram has long utilized a more open, public-facing username system. WhatsApp’s approach appears to sit in the middle, prioritizing privacy by avoiding a public directory while leveraging Meta’s existing social infrastructure to help users discover legitimate business handles.
As the rollout continues in the coming months, the reliance on phone numbers as a universal identifier may decline. While it remains a foundational shift, the long-term effectiveness of this privacy layer will depend on user adoption and the ability of the platform to prevent the proliferation of deceptive handles.
