WhatsApp is gearing up to launch a groundbreaking ‘Username’ feature, allowing users to chat without revealing their phone numbers. The feature, currently under testing, promises to redefine how people connect on the world’s most popular messaging platform.
According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is testing the feature for Android (version 2.25.22.9 beta), giving users the option to create a unique username — similar to handles used on Instagram and Facebook. This means users will soon be able to chat securely without having to share their personal contact numbers.
The feature not only boosts privacy but also helps curb cyber fraud and spam, a growing concern on messaging platforms. By replacing phone numbers with usernames, scammers will find it harder to misuse user details for unsolicited messages.
WhatsApp is also reportedly working on an option to pre-book usernames, allowing users to reserve their preferred handles before the feature’s official rollout.
Adding another layer of security, WhatsApp plans to introduce a ‘Username Key’ system, ensuring that even if someone knows your username, they’ll need a matching key to contact you — preventing unauthorized access.
The feature is currently available to limited beta testers, with plans to expand testing to more users soon. A global rollout is expected after successful trials, marking one of WhatsApp’s biggest privacy upgrades in recent years.
With this update, WhatsApp moves one step closer to offering more secure, private, and user-controlled communication — without the need to ever share your number again.
