Whatsapp to bring new security feature soon, users can use username instead of phone number
With the new feature, the app will allow users to create usernames. The upcoming feature has been spotted in recent test builds of the app.
WhatsApp users can soon register and use the app using username instead of phone numbers. The company is reportedly working on the new feature. According to sources, the app might introduce the long-anticipated username feature via a future update soon.
With the new feature, the app will allow users to create usernames. Since its launch in 2009, the app had always used phone numbers of users for registration and contact discovery. Now, with the new feature, users can move away from the reliance on phone numbers and log in and register using usernames.
WhatsApp preparing to roll out usernames
WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo reported that the upcoming feature has been spotted on in recent test builds of the app. The information regarding to usernames and their rules have been disclosed.
According to the report, the usernames must contain at least one letter and can only include lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Attempts to register names starting with “www.” will be blocked, to prevent confusion with web links or official websites. Usernames made up solely of numbers or symbols will also be disallowed, ensuring greater clarity and consistency.
A further development indicates that WhatsApp is now trialling a reservation system. A new option within the app’s settings will reportedly allow users to claim their preferred handle in advance, even before the feature itself becomes publicly available. This could help reduce impersonation risks and give early adopters a better chance of securing their desired identity.
We don’t have information on the release date of the feature yet as Meta has not yet confirmed a timeline for the wider rollout. However, the addition of a reservation mechanism suggests the long-requested feature may arrive sooner rather than later, marking a major shift in how people connect through the world’s most popular messaging service.
Last month, WhatsApp confirmed that it is adding a built-in translation option to its messaging service, giving users the ability to translate chats instantly without leaving the app. The feature is being introduced across both iOS and Android, and will be available in all 180 regions where WhatsApp operates.
On Android devices, the tool currently supports six languages: English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic. iPhone users, however, will have access to a far wider range, with more than 19 languages on offer thanks to integration with Apple’s Translate app.
