WhatsApp is making a major change to how you chat with new people
· The South African
WhatsApp is rolling out one of its biggest privacy updates yet, allowing users to create unique usernames so they can connect with new people without sharing their phone numbers.
The Meta-owned messaging platform has begun introducing the feature globally, with users in several African countries already able to reserve their usernames. Many South African users have also started receiving invitations to claim their preferred username ahead of the wider rollout.
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The move is designed to make it easier and safer to chat with people you don’t know well, whether it’s a new colleague, someone you’ve met at an event or members of a community group.
What are WhatsApp usernames?
Instead of giving someone your phone number, you’ll be able to share a unique username beginning with the “@” symbol.
While users will still need a phone number to register and use WhatsApp, anyone who has enabled usernames will no longer have to reveal their number when messaging a person or business for the first time.
The feature will be available on both personal and business WhatsApp accounts.
“Once we launch usernames, when you message a person or business for the first time they will no longer see your phone number, if you enabled your username,” WhatsApp said.
WhatsApp added that the update is intended to give users greater privacy in everyday situations where sharing a phone number can feel unnecessary.
“When someone new walks into your life – a classmate, a neighbour, someone you meet at an event – sharing a phone number can feel like a big step,” the company said.
“This is also true for group conversations. You want to join the parent chat for the soccer team but you’re not ready to give your phone number to people you’ve never met.”
The company added that with more than three billion users worldwide, opening username reservations early gives people a better chance of securing the name they want before the feature becomes widely available.
No public directory
Unlike many other social media platforms, WhatsApp says usernames won’t be searchable through a public directory.
There will be no suggestions or browsing options, meaning people will only be able to contact you if they know your exact username.
The company is also introducing optional “username keys” – an extra layer of protection that can be required before someone can message you using your username.
According to WhatsApp, the platform has built several safeguards to prevent abuse.
“Username keys limit who can reach you, we limit how many new people any account can contact, and our systems detect and block abuse patterns,” the company said.
Can’t think of a username?Recognising that many popular names may already be taken, WhatsApp is also introducing a built-in username generator that can suggest unique alternatives.
For creators, businesses and organisations, the platform will also allow eligible users to reserve the same username they already use on Instagram or Facebook, helping them maintain a consistent online identity across Meta’s apps.
WhatsApp says the rollout will happen gradually over the coming months.
South Africans using the latest version of the app can check whether the feature is available by opening Settings, selecting Account, and then tapping Username.
If the feature hasn’t reached your account yet, WhatsApp says you’ll receive a notification in the app once username reservations become available.
The company is encouraging users to reserve their preferred username early, as each one must be unique and can only be claimed by a single account.