When a new person walks into our lives, sharing our phone numbers can be a big step as it’s personal and connected to many spheres of our lives. At times, we wish to chat without revealing our contacts.
WhatsApp users will soon have a new option to talk without exposing their contact numbers. Prior to the wider update set for this year, WhatsApp has started launching username reservations in advance, permitting people to pre-claim a unique username before the feature becomes publicly available.
“For most people, choosing a WhatsApp username should be something unique that only people you want to contact you will know. If you need help picking one, we have a username generator to make one work just for you. We also know that some people like creators, small businesses, and organizations may want to maintain a consistent presence online. For them, we reserved an option to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook username on WhatsApp.” WhatsApp wrote in its blog.
This move is said to be WhatsApp’s one of the biggest privacy-focused modifications, allowing users to start chats through a username instead of showing their contact number. WhatsApp released the feature in an official blog post recently, and said the feature launch will take place gradually in the next few months.
Users can book usernames
The company has started allowing users to book a username in advance so that they can choose the handle they want and have a better chance. The early reservation process is important because WhatsApp now has over three billion users across the world. This feature will be optional and gradually allow users to replace their contact number with a user handle when texting someone for the first time (but the username has to be turned on).
How to set a user handle
Users can see the feature by updating to the latest version and going to Settings > Account > Username.
The users will get an in-app notification when the feature is available in their country.
If someone has already taken your user name, WhatsApp will offer a built-in userhandle generator that provides alternative unique handles.
Focusing on privacy and security
Contrary to many social media platforms, WhatsApp will not launch a searchable username directory. Users can only contact someone if they know the specific username.
