Great news to all WhatsApp users: It’s now possible for you to reserve a username on the messaging app, so you do not have to wait for the full rollout later in the year. This option is available on both Android and iOS platforms and takes only minutes to complete.
Traditionally, WhatsApp has relied on your phone number as your primary ID, but now that is set to change. WhatsApp has confirmed that it will allow you to contact new users using only their usernames, rather than phone numbers.
Why WhatsApp is adding usernames
Sharing your phone number with someone you don’t know can feel unsafe; if someone has your phone number, there is no going back because you can’t take it back. WhatsApp thus follows suit since other apps have allowed people to connect through their username.
Here is what this will mean for users of WhatsApp:
- Message new people as well as businesses without sharing your number
- You will be able to keep your number a secret until you are ready to share it.
- Keep in mind that you would still need a phone number to sign up/log in to WhatsApp, which will not fully replace the use of a phone number.
WhatsApp is thus getting closer to using a username as mentioned in other applications.
How to reserve your username right now
Don’t wait to claim your username. WhatsApp is now allowing users to create usernames before the official release. There are over 3 billion users of the app, meaning that established usernames may fill up quickly after the feature goes live for everyone.
Follow the steps below to claim your own:
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version
- Open Settings
- Select Account
- Select Username
- Enter desired username
If you don’t know what to type, WhatsApp will suggest a few options when you type in your desired username. So, even if your first choice is already taken, you could find a similar name that you like.
The rules for choosing a username
Keep a few things in mind before you go ahead and type in your dream username for WhatsApp. While there is an entire list of rules laid out in the Help section for WhatsApp, these rules will help you in finding the right username for WhatsApp.
- It cannot be longer than 35 letters and numbers.
- It has to start with a letter; it cannot start with the characters “www” or end with them like a website.
- You should have letters; no numbers or symbols should be there.
- You can have underscores or periods, but not two periods together.
These rules will keep everything neat and will help in avoiding confusion between website links and spam pages.
Can you use your Instagram or Facebook handle?
Yes, this is great news for artists as well as small businesses. If you have an existing Instagram or Facebook account with followers, you can claim the same name on WhatsApp.
However, there is a caveat as you cannot just type in the name of someone else and expect it to go through. You will need to verify to WhatsApp that the page you want to use is truly yours. For that, you will need to connect your WhatsApp account to your Meta Accounts Center.
On the other hand, if you are simply interested in holding on to a name for yourself to use on WhatsApp, you can skip that step and reserve the name now.
Lastly, keep in mind that if someone already has your exact handle on Instagram or Facebook, they can take it first on WhatsApp. If you want to ensure that your name is yours, you will have to act quickly.
What the “username key” does
Along with usernames, WhatsApp is also rolling out a username key. Think of it as an extra lock on your door. It gives you one more layer of choice over who can reach you first.
Without a username key, anyone who knows your username can message you right away. With one turned on, though, people also need that key first. They need it before they can reach you for the first time. Meanwhile, anyone who has your number saved can skip both steps.
So, should you turn it on? That depends on how public your username is. You should likely turn it on if:
- You claimed a well-known handle from Instagram or Facebook
- You already have a large public following
- Strangers could guess your username with ease
On the other hand, if your username is fairly private, you likely do not need this extra step.
No search bar for usernames
While Instagram allows users to discover other users by typing in part of their name, this isn’t the case for WhatsApp. There are no account lists you can browse and the only way for anyone to contact you is if they already know your username.
This may seem strange to some who are used to other platforms, but this is really how the app is meant to work. WhatsApp has designed usernames specifically for the sake of maintaining user privacy and allowing users to not have to worry about being found by someone browsing the platform.
When is the full rollout coming?
At the moment, the only thing that users can do with WhatsApp is to reserve a username. However, the complete functionality of using a username to contact other users will become available within the following months.
Because the rollout is slow, you should not be concerned if this option isn’t available to you yet. WhatsApp will send out messages to users in your country once the feature becomes available.
Quick recap
To sum up, here is what you need to know:
- Username reservations are live now on Android and iOS
- Go to Settings, then Account, then Username to grab yours
- You can match your Instagram or Facebook handle if you prove it’s yours
- Turn on the username key for extra privacy if your handle is well known
- The full messaging feature lands later this year
Bottom line
There’s a small change coming to WhatsApp that could have a huge impact on your privacy. This means that once the feature is introduced, you’ll be able to talk to people without the use of your phone number. In the meantime, the easiest way to protect your username is still very easy to do. Simply update the application and secure your name before someone else beats you to it. It only takes a minute and it can really save you a lot of hassle later.