WhatsApp Launches Username Reservation Feature for Enhanced Privacy

Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has officially begun the global rollout of a username reservation system. This privacy-focused feature allows users to connect with others without sharing their personal mobile phone numbers. Reservations opened on Monday, June 29, 2026, ahead of the service's broader launch later this year. Users will receive in-app notifications as the feature becomes available in their respective regions. To secure a username, users can navigate to the Settings, Account, and Username menu on the most recent version of the application.

The feature is designed primarily to improve privacy rather than serve as a social media-style directory. WhatsApp has clarified that there will be no public directory or username suggestion lists, meaning users must know a contact's exact username to initiate a conversation. Additionally, users can set up an optional username key. This security layer requires new contacts to possess the specific key before they can send an initial message, providing users with significantly greater control over their incoming communications.

For the Indian market, where WhatsApp maintains a massive user base, the platform has partnered with actor Aamir Khan for a campaign emphasizing the convenience of connecting without personal information exchange. This is particularly valuable for professional groups, neighborhood networks, and event-based interactions. The feature also allows creators and businesses to maintain consistency by claiming usernames already used on Instagram or Facebook. As the rollout continues, this shift could fundamentally alter how users interact within the app, reducing the necessity of phone number disclosure for every new digital contact.