WhatsApp to replace phone numbers with usernames

Messaging platform, WhatsApp, is said to be testing a groundbreaking feature that could allow users to connect without revealing their phone numbers.

Reports say, the Meta-owned platform is working on a username system similar to what exists on Instagram, Telegram, and X, in what could become one of the  app’s biggest privacy upgrades yet.

The feature, said to be currently in beta testing, will let users create unique usernames to chat and join groups without exposing their numbers. This move aims to enhance privacy, particularly in large community groups and business interactions where sharing personal contacts can feel intrusive.

Leaked screenshots reveal a new “Username” option within user profiles, giving people the ability to pick custom handles and decide whether to hide their phone numbers.

However, experts warn that the update could lead to challenges like username hijacking and impersonation. To tackle this, WhatsApp reportedly plans to roll out verification and security measures alongside the new system.

The app, said to be still in development, the username feature could redefine how over two billion users communicate on WhatsApp, shifting the focus from numbers to names.

At the moment, WhatsApp’s system is simple. You sign up with your number, and that number becomes your identity. If someone wants to chat with you, they need your digits. When you join a group, your number is automatically visible to everyone else in that group.

Photo: LLB