PSA: WhatsApp Is Rolling Out A Username Feature—Here's How To Reserve Yours

Remember spending hours choosing the perfect MSN Messenger screen name, complete with random capital letters, song lyrics, and maybe even an unnecessary xXx? Well, 2026 is officially taking us back: WhatsApp is introducing usernames—meaning you won't always have to hand over your phone number to chat with someone.

It's a major change for the messaging app's three billion users, and if you've got your eye on a specific username, you'll want to move quickly before someone else claims it.

Meta has confirmed that WhatsApp users will soon be able to create a unique username, allowing people to connect without sharing their personal phone number. Instead of giving someone your mobile number, you'll be able to share your username instead—a change designed to make first-time conversations much more private.

The feature is rolling out gradually over the coming months, but username reservations are opening first, giving everyone the chance to secure the handle they actually want before the wider launch.

WhatsApp has also confirmed there won't be a searchable directory of usernames, meaning people will need to know your exact username before they can contact you. The app is also introducing an optional username key, giving users another layer of control over who can message them. Existing contacts who already have your phone number will still be able to see it, so the change mainly affects new conversations going forward.

Until now, anyone wanting to message you on WhatsApp needed your phone number. With usernames, you'll be able to start conversations without revealing that personal information, making it much easier to chat with people you don't know well, such as buyers on Marketplace, community organizers, or new work contacts.

If the feature is available on your account, reserving your username only takes a few taps:

• Update WhatsApp to the latest version

• Open Settings

• Tap Account

• Select Username

• Enter your preferred username and confirm if it's available

On iPhone, you can also tap You before selecting your profile and choosing Create Username. WhatsApp says users will receive an in-app notification once the feature becomes available in their region.

Not every username will be allowed.

According to WhatsApp, usernames must:

• Be between three and 30 characters

• Include at least one letter

• Only contain lowercase letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), full stops and underscores

• Not begin with 'www'

• Not end with a web domain such as '.com'

• Not start or end with a full stop, or contain two full stops in a row

If your chosen name isn't available, WhatsApp will suggest similar alternatives.

This article originally appeared on Cosmopolitan.com/UK. Minor edits have been made by the Cosmo.ph editors.