This Monday (29), WhatsApp began the process of reserving usernames, marking the first step towards implementing a feature that will allow users to hide their phone numbers. The full functionality will be gradually released to everyone in the coming months.
The platform clarified that there will not be a public directory to search for names, requiring users to know the person’s exact name to start a conversation. This feature, which had been detected in the application’s codes in April, is now officially in the launch phase, following a common Meta testing and distribution pattern.
For cases where the desired username is already in use, the application will offer automatic suggestions. Meta itself advises choosing a more complex name to make unwanted contacts more difficult, reinforcing the user’s control over their interaction.
With the definitive activation of the tool, whoever starts a chat using the username will no longer automatically show the phone number to the recipient, if the function is enabled. This change aligns the messenger with other social platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, and competitor Telegram, which has been offering a similar option for years, indicating an evolution in the approach to privacy and connection.
Learn how to reserve your username in the app
The app will notify users as the functionality becomes available in each region. You can check the presence of the feature by going to “Settings”, then “Account” and then “Username” in the most updated version of WhatsApp. The interface is designed to be intuitive, guiding the user step by step.
Once released, username reservation can be done by clicking on “Create username”, checking the availability of the chosen name and, finally, clicking on “Save”.
Complementing this new feature, WhatsApp will also implement an optional access key, designed to increase privacy. When activated, this key will be necessary for anyone trying to start a conversation for the first time using the username, and can be changed at any time by the user.
