Whatsapp Launches Username Reservations for Enhanced Privacy
WHO:
ABC News - WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, has over 3 billion users globally.
ABC News - Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp's vice president of product.
WHAT:
Techmeme - WhatsApp has begun rolling out username reservations worldwide, allowing users to claim a unique name before the privacy-focused feature launches later this year.
ABC News - Users will be able to reserve usernames over the coming months, with the option to be found and contacted only by their username, not their phone number.
ABC News - Companies, organizations, and creators with existing accounts on Meta's social media platforms, Instagram and Facebook, will have the opportunity to claim their usernames on WhatsApp.
ABC News - WhatsApp's current privacy settings are limited to blocking individual users and silencing unknown callers, which will change with the introduction of usernames.
TechRadar - WhatsApp has announced the launch of username reservations for users.
ABC News - Users will have the option to use usernames instead of phone numbers.
TechCrunch - Usernames can be between 3 to 35 characters in length.
ABC News - There will not be a directory of usernames on the app, and users must know the exact username to contact someone for the first time.
Engadget - Users can reserve their usernames starting this week.
WHERE:
ABC News - The feature is being rolled out globally.
WHEN:
Techmeme - The privacy-focused feature is set to launch later this year.
ABC News - Users will be able to reserve usernames over the coming months.
WHY:
ABC News - The decision to open username reservations early is based on the expectation that many users will want to claim desirable usernames.
ABC News - The decision to allow username reservations early is based on the expectation that many users will want to claim desirable usernames.
ABC News - The change aims to address a privacy blind spot by allowing users to be contacted only by their username.
ABC News - The decision to open username reservations early is based on the expectation that many users will want to claim desirable usernames.
HOW:
Engadget - Users can reserve their usernames starting this week.
ABC News - Usernames must be between three and 35 characters in length.
ABC News - Users can reserve unique usernames through the app.
ABC News - To prevent impersonation, WhatsApp will hold back usernames for high-profile individuals or groups, such as celebrities and government entities.
(UPDATED June 29, 2026 23:18 UTC)
WhatsApp has started rolling out username reservations globally, allowing users to claim a unique name ahead of the launch of a new privacy-focused feature later this year. Over the coming months, users will have the option to be found and contacted solely by their username, rather than their phone number. This early decision to open username reservations is aimed at meeting the anticipated demand for desirable usernames, with the reservation process beginning this week.
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(UPDATED June 29, 2026 21:22 UTC)
Meta is set to allow companies, organizations, and creators with existing accounts on Instagram and Facebook to claim their usernames on WhatsApp, a change that aims to enhance user experience. Currently, WhatsApp's privacy settings only allow users to block individuals and silence unknown callers, but this will expand with the introduction of usernames, which must be between three and 35 characters long. This early reservation of usernames is expected to attract many users eager to secure their desired handles.
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(UPDATED June 29, 2026 17:48 UTC)
WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms and boasting over 3 billion users worldwide, has announced the launch of username reservations, allowing users to opt for usernames instead of phone numbers. Starting this week, users can reserve unique usernames ranging from three to thirty-five characters in length, but they must know the exact username to make contact, as there will be no directory available. This privacy-focused feature, set to roll out globally later this year, aims to enhance user privacy by limiting contact to usernames while reserving certain usernames for high-profile individuals and groups to prevent impersonation.