WhatsApp is rolling out usernames — a change that lets you chat without handing over your phone number. As of late June 2026 you can reserve your username on Android and iOS; the full feature, where people message you by username alone, arrives gradually over the coming months. Here is what usernames are, how to reserve yours now, and what actually changes for your privacy.
What are WhatsApp usernames?
A WhatsApp username is a unique handle (like @Mr_ViiND) that identifies you instead of your phone number. Once the feature is fully live, someone can start a chat with you using your username and never see the number behind it. It brings WhatsApp in line with Instagram, X and Telegram, where a handle — not a number — is your identity.
How do you reserve your WhatsApp username?
Update to the latest version of WhatsApp, then go to Settings → Account → Username and pick one. It takes a few seconds. The rules:
- Between 3 and 35 characters.
- Must include at least one letter.
- Only lowercase letters, numbers, full stops and underscores
