Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp—the world’s most popular and widely used messaging app—has announced the rollout of the largest update in the app’s history. This follows recent tests of a new feature allowing users to create unique usernames to communicate without needing to share their phone numbers.
Chatting Without Phone Numbers
This marks a major shift in WhatsApp’s approach to privacy management, as the new beta update for both Android and iOS enables users to choose a custom username instead of relying on their phone number to start chats or search for contacts. The move aims to enhance user privacy and protect personal data.
Meta is currently developing a system to verify username availability and prevent duplication, with the official launch expected in the coming weeks.
Reducing Dependence on Phone Numbers
This development is part of Meta’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on phone numbers as the primary identifier and to enable safer interactions in both private and group conversations.
With the new feature, users will be able to display only their usernames when joining groups or initiating chats with unfamiliar contacts—without revealing their actual phone numbers.
Toward a More Flexible Digital Identity
The feature is already being tested in WhatsApp’s latest beta version (2.25.28.12), where users can reserve their preferred usernames ahead of the public release.
Meta has introduced strict naming rules, requiring each username to contain at least one letter, and allowing only lowercase letters, numbers, dots, and underscores.
The introduction of usernames represents a significant step toward a more flexible digital identity, while still requiring a phone number for the initial registration. This balance is designed to help protect users from spam, digital harassment, and privacy breaches.
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