WhatsApp is testing a long-awaited feature that will let users create unique usernames—allowing them to chat without revealing their phone numbers.
According to WABetaInfo, a platform that tracks WhatsApp updates, the feature is being trialed on Android and iOS beta versions. Selected users can now set personalized handles, which can be used to start chats or search for contacts without exposing personal numbers.
The move represents one of WhatsApp’s biggest privacy upgrades since its launch, offering users more control over their identity and interactions. “All holders of various visa types can perform Umrah during their stay in the Kingdom,” the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said in a separate statement regarding a different update—but for WhatsApp, the new usernames will serve as the next major evolution in secure communication.
Reports from Interesting Engineering and Euro Weekly News suggest that users will soon be able to display only their usernames when joining groups or messaging new contacts, effectively concealing their numbers from strangers.
While registration will still require a mobile number, usernames will become the new front-facing identity for safer communication—especially useful for businesses, creators, and communities.
The feature, spotted in the latest Android beta (version 2.25.28.12), also includes a system to “reserve” usernames and prevent duplicates. Handles must contain at least one letter and may only include lowercase letters, numbers, periods, or underscores, ensuring consistency across the platform.
