How to Get a WhatsApp Username
The Long-Awaited Feature Starts Rolling Out Today
Yes: as of June 29, 2026, WhatsApp has officially begun rolling out one of its most requested features ever — the ability to create a username (@username) instead of sharing your phone number to start conversations.
The feature is already appearing for some users and will gradually expand worldwide over the coming weeks.
🔗 Sources:
https://blog.whatsapp.com/introducing-usernames-on-whatsapp
https://www.theverge.com/tech/958832/whatsapp-usernames-rollout-reservation-availability
https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/29/whatsapp-usernames-roll-out/
What’s Changing on WhatsApp?
Until now, anyone who wanted to contact you on WhatsApp needed to know your phone number.
With the new update, users can create a unique username and share that instead, making it possible to chat without exposing a personal phone number.
It’s a feature that has existed on platforms like Telegram, Signal, Instagram, and X for years, but until now, WhatsApp had resisted making the change.
How to Get a WhatsApp Username
If the feature is already available on your account:
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Account.
- Select Username.
- Choose an available username and reserve it.
Some users may not see the option immediately because the rollout is happening in phases.
What Are the Username Rules?
- Usernames must be unique.
- They can contain between 3 and 35 characters.
- Letters, numbers, periods, and underscores are allowed.
- They cannot look like website domains.
- Certain reserved names, public figures, and brands may be restricted.
The Biggest Change: No More Sharing Your Phone Number
The new system allows users to communicate without revealing one of their most personal pieces of information: their mobile number.
WhatsApp has also introduced additional privacy protections, including optional controls that prevent strangers from contacting users simply by guessing their username.
There is no public directory, meaning people will still need to know your exact username to start a conversation.
What People Are Saying Online
The announcement quickly became one of the biggest technology stories of the day, with thousands of users rushing to reserve their preferred usernames before someone else claims them.
Official WhatsApp announcement:
https://x.com/WhatsApp/status/1939442171685345513
Additional discussion:
https://x.com/search?q=WhatsApp%20username
https://x.com/search?q=%23WhatsAppUsername
My Take
Very few WhatsApp updates fundamentally change how people use the app.
This one does.
Usernames are not just another feature. They represent a major shift in digital identity and privacy on the world’s most popular messaging platform.
For millions of people — freelancers, creators, small businesses, students, and anyone who doesn’t want to share a personal phone number — this update changes the way connections are made online.
And that’s why a simple “@username” may end up becoming one of the biggest changes in WhatsApp’s history.
