The feature, announced by parent company Meta, is being introduced in phases and is expected to change how the platform's more than three billion users connect by reducing the need to disclose personal phone numbers when joining groups, conducting business transactions or communicating with new contacts.
According to Meta, selected users have already begun receiving notifications inviting them to reserve unique usernames ahead of a broader global rollout expected later this year.
Since its launch, WhatsApp has relied on phone numbers as the primary means of identifying users. While effective for verifying accounts, the system has required users to reveal their personal numbers in community groups, marketplaces, business interactions and other public or semi-public conversations.
The new username feature is intended to address those privacy concerns.
Unlike many social media platforms where usernames are publicly searchable, WhatsApp says its system is designed with privacy as the primary objective rather than public discoverability.
"At its core, it's a privacy feature, not a social media handle," Meta said in explaining the update.
The company said users will need to know another person's exact username before initiating contact, and there will be no public directory or algorithm-generated suggestions that make users easier to find.
WhatsApp is also introducing an optional "username key," which will provide an additional layer of verification and give users greater control over who can contact them.
The update is expected to have significant implications in Uganda, where WhatsApp has become one of the country's most widely used communication platforms for businesses, schools, religious organisations, neighbourhood associations and online marketplaces.
Many Ugandans rely on WhatsApp groups for parent-teacher communication, local security coordination, buying and selling goods and community engagement.
Until now, joining such groups has required participants to expose their personal phone numbers to other members, including people they may not know.
With usernames, users will eventually be able to remain reachable through a unique handle while keeping their phone numbers private.
Users interested in securing a preferred username can check whether the feature has been enabled by updating WhatsApp to the latest version and navigating to:
- Settings
- Account
- Username
If available, users will be able to choose and reserve a unique username.
Meta is also expected to allow businesses, organisations and content creators to reserve usernames linked to their existing brands and online identities, helping improve consistency across platforms while reducing the risk of impersonation.
The global rollout is expected to continue over the coming months as the feature becomes available to more users.