WhatsApp Is Finally Letting You Chat Without Sharing Your Number
Date Published
Big news for WhatsApp users and honestly, it’s about time!
WhatsApp is bringing usernames so you can chat with people without giving out your phone number.
Yup, you read that right. No more awkwardly sharing your number with strangers or clients just to send a message. Soon, you’ll be able to use a unique username (like @divtechnologies or @tailorassist) instead.
Say Goodbye to Phone Number Worries
For years, WhatsApp has been all about your phone number. It’s how people find you, add you, and message you. But that also meant anyone in a group chat or customer thread could see your number.
Now, usernames are changing that.
You’ll be able to:
- Pick your own username (something short and memorable).
- Share that instead of your number.
- Keep your real contact info private.
Basically, it’s WhatsApp’s way of saying, “Hey, we care about your privacy.”
How It’ll Work
Once it rolls out, you’ll see a new option in WhatsApp settings to create your username.
A few quick notes:
- You can use letters, numbers, underscores _, and periods ..
- It has to include at least one letter.
- You can change it later, but don’t go wild with it.
After that, people can message you just by typing your username, no phone number needed.
When Can You Use It?
The feature is already being tested in beta on Android and iPhone. Some users even say they can reserve their usernames already.
There’s no official release date yet, but from the look of things, it’s coming very soon, likely within the next few months. So keep your app updated.
Why It’s a Big Deal
For individuals, it’s about privacy and comfort.
For businesses, it’s a total game-changer, you can chat with customers without exposing your personal number.
In countries like Ghana where WhatsApp is practically the internet, this could make online business chats way more professional and safe.