WhatsApp lets you claim your username
WhatsApp is taking a new step in the area of privacy. From this week, you can reserve a username in advance, so you can use it later when the feature is officially rolled out. Rumours about this feature have been circulating for some time.
With usernames, you won’t always have to share your phone number to chat with someone. This can be handy if, for example, you want to get in touch with a new classmate, a neighbour or someone you’ve met at an event, WhatsApp explains. It will also make it easier to join group chats without having to share your phone number with everyone straight away.
As WhatsApp now has over 3 billion users, the company expects many popular usernames to be snapped up quickly. That’s why the reservation process is already open, even before the feature becomes available worldwide.
If you’re unable to find an available username, WhatsApp can generate a unique one for you. Creators, businesses and organisations have the option to claim their existing username from Instagram or Facebook, so they can use the same name across different platforms.
Privacy
WhatsApp emphasises that privacy remains a key priority. There will be no public directory where you can search for usernames, and the app will not offer any suggestions either. Someone must know your exact username to contact you for the first time. You can also choose to set up an additional username code. Only people who know both your username and this code will then be able to start a new conversation with you.
Once the feature is available and you’ve enabled a username, new contacts will no longer automatically see your phone number when they send you a message for the first time.
Would you like to set up a username now? You can do so via Settings > Account > Username. It may take a little while before you can find this option there. The actual roll-out of usernames will take place step by step over the coming months. You’ll automatically receive a notification in WhatsApp as soon as the feature becomes available in your country.
