WhatsApp Finally Begins Rolling Out Its Username Feature

We already know that WhatsApp has been working on a username feature for quite some time. The company has now begun rolling it out, though only a handful of users are picking it up at the moment. The feature will let you create a unique username and share it with others (instead of your phone number).

WhatsApp now lets you create a username

Until now, WhatsApp has used only phone numbers to identify users and let them connect with others. This makes it simple to connect with contacts saved in your phone. However, in some situations, it raises privacy concerns, particularly when sharing phone numbers with strangers. Thankfully, the newly introduced username functionality helps address these worries.

According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is gradually pushing the username feature on both Android and iOS devices. Once it lands on your smartphone, you will see a new option for usernames in your profile settings. From there, you can create a unique handle for your account to share it with others.

Note that you will need to follow some rules while creating a username. It cannot start with “www.” or end with domains like “.com” or “.net.” Each username must contain at least one letter while using lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. It must be between 3 and 35 characters long.

Furthermore, you must ensure the username is available across Meta platforms. For example, you can claim a username if no one is using it on Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp, as long as it fulfills the rules. However, if someone already uses the username on Instagram or Facebook, you must verify that you own it on those platforms. You can do so by linking the accounts through Accounts Center.

The good thing is that you can set up an optional username key (a four-digit code) for privacy. When someone contacts you for the first time, they will need to type the key. This means you must share the code alongside your username if you want the person to reach you.

So, it is time to check your WhatsApp account and see if you have access to the username feature. If not, you may have to wait a few days or weeks, as the rollout is happening gradually.