WhatsApp is rolling out a new username feature that will allow users to connect with others without sharing their phone numbers, offering an added layer of privacy on the messaging platform.
With this update, users will be able to create a unique username and share it instead of their mobile number. Similar to social media and messaging platforms that use handles, people who contact a user through their username will see the handle rather than the phone number.
The feature is optional, meaning users can continue using WhatsApp with their phone numbers as they do currently. Each account can have 1 username, and users will be able to change it later without affecting their chats or account details. While phone numbers will remain linked to accounts for login and recovery purposes, they will not be visible to contacts who connect through usernames.
To set up a username, users need to open WhatsApp and navigate to the Settings section. They can then access their profile details and select the Username option when it becomes available. After entering a preferred username, WhatsApp will automatically verify its availability before allowing users to save it.
The platform has set specific guidelines for usernames. They must be between 3 and 35 characters long, contain at least 1 letter, and can only include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Usernames cannot start with “www”, begin or end with a period, contain consecutive periods, or end with domain extensions such as .com, .org, or .in.
The new feature is expected to benefit users who frequently interact with people outside their personal contact list, including buyers, sellers, community members, and new connections. Instead of sharing personal phone numbers, users can simply provide their usernames.
WhatsApp has started rolling out the feature to selected Android and iOS users. Once available, users will be able to choose whether they want others to find them through their phone number, username, or both.
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