WhatsApp is testing a new feature that would allow users to connect using usernames instead of phone numbers, in a move aimed at enhancing privacy and user control.
The update, currently being trialled in WhatsApp’s beta testing programme, will enable users to create unique usernames, allowing them to join groups and chat with others without revealing their phone numbers.
Technology analysts say the development marks one of the most significant privacy-focused changes in the messaging app’s history.
According to reports, leaked screenshots from the beta version show a new “Username” field in user profiles. This will give users the option to hide their phone numbers while interacting on the platform, similar to features already available on Telegram, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
The move is expected to particularly benefit users in large group chats, business interactions, or community forums where sharing personal numbers can be sensitive or intrusive.
However, experts have raised concerns over the potential for username squatting and impersonation, issues that often affect platforms with public-facing handles.
To address these concerns, WhatsApp is reportedly working on verification tools to prevent misuse of the feature once it rolls out to the general public.
The Meta-owned platform has not yet confirmed a release date for the feature.
If fully implemented, the username system could significantly alter the way more than two billion users worldwide interact on the app, shifting its model away from being number-based to name-based communication.
The update is in line with broader privacy enhancements introduced by WhatsApp in recent years, including disappearing messages, end-to-end encryption, and profile privacy controls.
