Imagine meeting someone at an event, joining a parents’ group chat or responding to a new client. Instead of giving them your personal mobile number, you simply share a short username such as @viktor or @mybusiness.
That is precisely what WhatsApp is preparing to introduce.
WhatsApp has officially announced the launch of usernames. The feature is due to become fully available later in 2026, but users can already begin reserving their preferred names.
It is worth acting sooner rather than later. More than three billion people use WhatsApp, and each username can only belong to one account.
At present, a WhatsApp account is effectively identified by its mobile number. To message someone, you will usually need to know and save their number first.
Once usernames are introduced, people will be able to use unique account names instead.
For example:
@ivan_petrov
@beauty_moscow
@myshop
@familylawyer
The most significant change concerns privacy. If you enable a username, someone contacting you for the first time will not see your mobile number.
This will be particularly useful if you:
communicate with clients through WhatsApp;
publish your contact details on social media or in adverts;
participate in large group conversations;
run a blog or build a personal brand;
prefer not to share your private number with people you do not know.
Usernames will remain optional. Those who prefer to continue using WhatsApp in the usual way will still be able to do so.
WhatsApp is not attempting to turn the messenger into an open social network.
There will be no public directory of usernames and no account recommendations. To contact someone for the first time, you will need to know their exact username.
WhatsApp will also offer an optional username key. If this protection is enabled, knowing the username alone will not be enough: the person trying to contact you will also need the key.
This creates two layers of protection:
The person must know your exact username.
If additional protection is enabled, they must also know your username key.
This should help reduce unwanted messages and give users greater control over who can contact them.
Instagram, Telegram, TikTok and X already use usernames. WhatsApp is now joining them.
The difficulty is obvious: there are far fewer short, memorable names than there are people and businesses hoping to secure them.
If your company is called Lotus, for example, hundreds of businesses may want the username @lotus. The same applies to common surnames, popular first names and short brand names.
WhatsApp has said that reservations are being opened early because of its enormous user base and the number of people likely to want the same names.
Waiting several months before checking availability may therefore prove costly, particularly if you have:
a registered trade mark;
a recognisable company name;
the same username across several social platforms;
a blog with a substantial audience;
an established personal brand.
WhatsApp has created a separate option for creators, businesses and organisations that want to maintain a consistent identity online.
They may be able to claim the same username they already use on Instagram or Facebook.
If your brand uses one name across Instagram and Facebook, you may therefore have an opportunity to secure the same name on WhatsApp.
However, we would not recommend simply waiting for the feature to appear.
Check the security of your connected Meta accounts now:
make sure you can access the current email address;
check that an old or unfamiliar mobile number is not connected;
enable two-factor authentication;
save your backup codes securely;
review active sessions and remove unfamiliar devices;
ensure that your brand name is written consistently across every platform.
If you lose access to Instagram or Facebook, demonstrating your connection to the brand may become considerably more difficult.
WhatsApp provides the following route:
Settings > Account > Username
Make sure you are using the latest version of WhatsApp before checking.
If the Username option is not yet visible, there is no need to panic. It does not mean that your account has been restricted or suspended.
WhatsApp is introducing both reservations and the wider feature gradually. Availability may vary between countries and individual accounts. The company says users will receive an in-app notification when usernames become available in their region.
You do not need to:
delete and reinstall WhatsApp;
register an account using a different number;
sign out of your account;
download an unofficial version of the application;
give anyone a verification code received by SMS.
None of these actions will make the feature appear sooner, but they could create problems with account access or security.
For a business, the best option will usually be the exact brand name without unnecessary words, numbers or symbols.
Good examples:
@antibanpro
@companyname
@name_surname
A less effective example:
@companyname2026_official_real
If your preferred name has already been taken, prepare several clear alternatives using:
the brand name and area of business;
the brand name and location;
an official abbreviation;
the brand name with a simple separator;
a first name and surname for a personal brand.
Avoid adding random numbers unless they have a genuine meaning. They make a username more difficult to remember, share verbally and distinguish from an impersonator’s account.
Before making your choice, consider how the username looks and sounds:
when spoken aloud;
when written down;
on a business card;
in an advert;
alongside your usernames on other platforms.
New Meta features quickly become material for phishing campaigns.
You may receive messages such as:
“Your username has been reserved by another user.”
“Confirm your rights to this name within 24 hours.”
“Complete brand verification.”
“Pay to reserve your username early.”
“Send us the code required to protect your username.”
Do not follow these links or make any payments.
A WhatsApp username must be reserved through the account settings in the official application. Nobody needs your password, SMS verification code, login QR code or two-factor authentication backup codes.
If someone asks you to provide a code “to register your username”, they are almost certainly attempting to gain access to your account.
Take the following steps today:
Update WhatsApp to the latest version.
Check the Settings > Account section.
Prepare three to five suitable username options.
Check that your name is consistent across WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook.
Enable two-factor authentication.
Verify your connected mobile number and email address.
Warn employees that reserving a username does not require them to share any security codes.
Do not follow links in messages demanding “urgent username confirmation”.
WhatsApp is gradually changing the mobile number from a public identifier into a private technical connection to the account.
For individuals, this means greater privacy. For businesses, it provides a short and convenient point of contact. For creators, it offers the possibility of using one consistent name across several platforms.
Unfortunately, it also gives fraudsters another opportunity to create impersonation accounts and phishing pages.
The sensible approach is straightforward:
Reserve your username, protect your account and never share your security codes.
Check your WhatsApp account: has the Username section appeared yet?
Let us know in the comments. It will be interesting to see how widely the reservation feature is currently available.
Save this article and share it with a business owner or content creator. In a few months, the username they need may no longer be available.
Source: Official WhatsApp Blog
antiban.pro has been restoring and protecting social media accounts since 2017.