WhatsApp has been developing a new privacy feature for its users for quite some time. This feature has now begun to roll out gradually. In November 2025, the company sent emails to business account holders, advising them to prepare for the arrival of this feature in 2026. Now, according to reports, WhatsApp is enabling select Android and iOS users to create unique usernames. The company intends to extend this feature to the rest of its user base as soon as possible.

The primary benefit of this feature is enhanced privacy. Users will now be able to connect with others by sharing a username instead of their phone number—much like how it works on Instagram or other social media platforms. If a new contact wishes to message you, they can simply use your username; your phone number will not be visible to them. This change will prove particularly beneficial for those who prefer not to share their personal phone numbers when sharing their WhatsApp accounts.

According to WABetaInfo—a platform that tracks WhatsApp features—this rollout is currently in its initial stages. You can check your WhatsApp profile settings to see whether this new feature has become available on your account yet. If the username feature appears within your WhatsApp account settings, you can proceed to create your unique username. However, WhatsApp has established certain strict guidelines for creating usernames.

WhatsApp Username Creation Guidelines

• Usernames must be between 3 and 35 characters in length.
• They must contain at least one letter (alphabetical character).
• Usernames cannot consist solely of numbers or special characters.
• You may use underscores (_), lowercase letters, and periods (.).
• Usernames cannot begin with “www.” nor can they end with domain extensions such as .com, .in, or .net. Key Highlights of the Username Rules

Another significant aspect is that your username must be unique across Meta’s entire ecosystem—encompassing WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. If you already have a username on Instagram, you can use that very same one on WhatsApp as well. To do this, you will need to link both accounts via the Accounts Center. In this light, we can say that this represents a major step by Meta toward making WhatsApp even more secure and user-friendly. Sharing a username instead of a phone number will enhance privacy levels and also make it easier to add new contacts.