WhatsApp launches usernames to let users hide phone numbers

Meta announced that WhatsApp will roll out a username system that lets people message each other without sharing their phone numbers. The feature uses an @‑style identifier that users can reserve, with names between 3 and 40 characters and the option to link the same handle to their Instagram or Facebook accounts.

The rollout is being phased in, with early availability in Spain and Mexico and further expansion planned worldwide. There is no public directory, so contacts must know the exact username or receive a direct link. An optional “Username Key” PIN can be set to require a code before the first message is delivered, adding an extra layer of privacy. All chats continue to use end‑to‑end encryption.