The feature, announced by the Meta Platforms-owned messaging platform, will begin rolling out gradually later this year. Some users have already been given access to reserve unique usernames ahead of the wider launch.

Under the new system, users will be able to choose to be discoverable and contacted through their username rather than their phone number, helping protect personal contact information when interacting with new people.

WhatsApp Vice President of Product Alice Newton-Rex said the feature was designed as a core privacy enhancement. The company also confirmed there will be no public directory of usernames and no autocomplete search suggestions, meaning users will need to know an exact username to contact someone for the first time.

To further reduce scams and impersonation, WhatsApp will introduce optional username keys—short numeric codes that can be linked to a username. Users who enable the feature can only be contacted by people who know both their username and its unique key.

The platform also announced additional anti-spam measures, including limits on how many new people an account can contact within a certain period and improved systems that detect and block abusive behavior.

Businesses, organizations, and creators with existing usernames on Facebook or Instagram will be able to claim the same handles on WhatsApp, where available.

Usernames must be between three and 35 characters long. WhatsApp said it will reserve certain usernames for celebrities, public figures, government agencies, and other high-profile accounts to prevent impersonation.

To reserve a username, users will need to update to the latest version of WhatsApp and navigate to Settings > Account > Username on the mobile app. The feature will not initially be available through WhatsApp Web or the desktop application.

The company said the rollout will take place gradually over the coming months and users will receive an in-app notification once the feature becomes available in their region.