In a major move aimed at strengthening user privacy, WhatsApp is testing a new feature that will allow people to connect through usernames instead of phone numbers.
The Meta-owned messaging app is reportedly introducing a “username” option that enables users to create unique handles — a shift that could redefine how its more than two billion users interact on the platform.
The update, currently being tested in WhatsApp’s beta version, will allow users to chat, join groups, and be added to contacts using their chosen usernames, rather than their mobile numbers. This change is expected to enhance privacy, particularly in large or public group chats where people often prefer not to share personal details.
Leaked screenshots from the beta show a new “Username” section under user profiles, allowing individuals to select custom names while keeping their phone numbers hidden if they wish.
ALSO READ: 4-month-old Araoluwa Sopade needs N11.9m for urgent Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) treatment
The move brings WhatsApp in line with other social apps such as Telegram, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), which already allow users to connect via usernames.
However, while the update promises better privacy and easier connections, experts have raised concerns about potential challenges like username impersonation and hoarding. WhatsApp is reportedly working on verification tools to address such risks before the feature’s full rollout.
If implemented globally, the feature could mark one of the biggest privacy upgrades in WhatsApp’s history — shifting the platform’s identity from being number-based to name-based, and giving users more control over their digital footprint.