WhatsApp has started rolling out usernames — and for the first time, you can reserve a unique @handle so you can chat with new people without ever sharing your phone number. Reservations opened on June 29, 2026, and because more than three billion people use WhatsApp, the good handles are going fast.
This guide walks you through exactly how to create or reserve your WhatsApp username on iPhone (iOS) and Android, how to change or delete it, the rules your username must follow, how the new Username Key protects you, and where things stand for WhatsApp Web, Desktop, and Business accounts.
What is the WhatsApp username feature?
Until now, adding someone on WhatsApp meant exchanging phone numbers. The username feature changes that. You pick an optional handle — for example @Name123 — and share that instead. People can contact you by your username, while your phone number stays private.
A few things WhatsApp has confirmed about how it works:
It's optional. You can create, change, or delete a username at any time, and your account works exactly as before if you skip it.
There's no public directory. People can't browse usernames — they need to know your exact handle to reach you for the first time.
Your number stays private. People who don't have your number saved will see your username instead. Existing contacts who already have your number will continue to see it as before.
WhatsApp usernames let you connect without handing out your phone number. Image: WhatsApp
How to create or reserve your WhatsApp username on iPhone (iOS)
First, update WhatsApp to the latest version from the App Store. Then:
Tap You (bottom-right).
Tap your profile.
Tap Create username. In regions where usernames are still rolling out, this appears as Reserve username.
Tap Create username again to begin.
Enter the username you want. If it's available, you'll see a confirmation; if it's not, you can generate suggestions based on your input.
Tap Save, then Done.
Once reserved, your username becomes active when the feature launches in your region — and WhatsApp will send you a notification when it's ready to use.
How to create or reserve your WhatsApp username on Android
Update WhatsApp from the Google Play Store, then:
Tap More (the three vertical dots, ⋮) > Settings.
Tap your profile at the top.
Tap Create username > Create username. In areas where usernames are still rolling out, tap Reserve username > Create username.
Enter the username you want. If it's available, you'll see a confirmation; if it's not, you can generate suggestions based on your input.
Tap Save, then Done.
If you reserved a username, it becomes active when the feature launches in your region, and you'll get a notification when it's ready to use. Don't see the option yet? The feature is rolling out gradually — make sure you're on the latest version and watch for WhatsApp's in-app notification.
Claim your Instagram or Facebook username on WhatsApp
As long as it isn't already taken, you can claim the same username you use on Instagram or Facebook (including professional Instagram accounts) by adding WhatsApp to the same Accounts Center:
Open your WhatsApp profile — on iPhone tap You; on Android tap More (⋮) > Settings.
Tap the area around your profile photo.
Tap Create username.
Tap Use Instagram username or Use Facebook username.
Follow the prompts to add your accounts to the same Accounts Center.
A few important notes WhatsApp highlights:
Adding WhatsApp to Accounts Center is optional, and you can remove it anytime.
If the same username exists on both Instagram and Facebook under different people, it goes to the first person who claims it on WhatsApp.
If you claim a username from Instagram or Facebook, you must download and keep WhatsApp, or the username may become available for others.
Changing your username later on Instagram or Facebook won't automatically update it on WhatsApp — you'll need to change it on WhatsApp separately.
How to change your WhatsApp username
Open your WhatsApp profile (iPhone: You; Android: More ⋮ > Settings).
Tap the area around your profile photo.
Tap Username > Edit > Change username.
Enter the new username (you'll see a confirmation if it's available, or suggestions if not).
Tap Save, then Done (on Android, tap Continue).
Note: there's a limit on how often you can change your username, and once you change it, your previous handle may become available for others to claim.
How to delete your WhatsApp username
Open your WhatsApp profile (iPhone: You; Android: More ⋮ > Settings).
Tap the area around your profile photo.
Tap Username > Edit > Delete username > Delete.
Note: if you delete your username, you have 14 days to reclaim it before it becomes available to others.
Protect your handle with the Username Key
Because anyone who knows your username could message you, WhatsApp built an optional safeguard called the Username Key. When enabled, people need to know this key in addition to your username before they can start a first conversation with you. It's a simple way to keep your handle shareable in public while still controlling who can actually reach you.
WhatsApp username format rules
Before you try to claim one, make sure your desired handle follows WhatsApp's rules. Your username:
Must be between 3 and 35 characters long.
Can contain lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), underscores (_), and periods (.).
Can't only contain numbers.
Must be unique.
Can't contain restricted words or phrases.
Tip: if your preferred username isn't available, use WhatsApp's built-in username generator to suggest alternatives — and with billions of users racing for names, it helps to have a few backups ready.
Good to know
Some names are reserved. Certain usernames are held for businesses, governments, or public figures.
Transfers stay on one device. Your username can move to a different phone number if you change your number on the same device, but transferring a username across different devices isn't currently supported.
Keep the app updated so you receive the feature as soon as it reaches your region.
WhatsApp Web and Desktop: what's the status?
For now, usernames are a mobile-first feature. You reserve and manage your username from the WhatsApp app on your iPhone or Android phone. WhatsApp Web and the Desktop apps don't yet offer username setup — you still link them to your phone with a QR code as usual, and your username simply carries over from your account. Expect username management on Web and Desktop to follow later; for today, do it from your phone.
What about WhatsApp Business accounts?
Businesses are part of the plan too, but on a slightly different track:
Small businesses using the WhatsApp Business app can reserve a username much like regular users, and can claim a matching Instagram or Facebook handle.
Larger businesses on the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) get a related system called a Business-Scoped User ID (BSUID) alongside usernames. If you run an API-based setup, your developers may need to update your systems to support BSUIDs ahead of the full rollout.
If you manage a brand on WhatsApp, reserve your business username early for the same reason as individuals: so nobody else grabs your name first.
Frequently asked questions
Is the WhatsApp username free?
Yes. Reserving and using a WhatsApp username is completely free.
Does a username hide my phone number?
From people who only know your username, yes — they can message you without seeing your number. Existing contacts who already have your number saved are unaffected.
Can I change my WhatsApp username later?
Yes, though there's a limit on how often you can change it. Once you change it, your old handle may become available for someone else.
What happens if I delete my username?
You have 14 days to reclaim it before it becomes available for others to take.
Can I claim a username on WhatsApp Web?
Not yet. Reserve it from the WhatsApp mobile app on iPhone or Android for now; it then applies across your linked devices.
Why don't I see the Username option?
The feature is rolling out gradually. Update to the latest app version and wait for WhatsApp's in-app notification that it's available in your country.
The bottom line
WhatsApp usernames are a genuine privacy upgrade: you can finally connect with people without handing over your phone number. Reservations are open now, names are first-come, first-served, and the best ones won't last long with three billion users in the mix. Update your app, open your profile, tap Create username, and lock in your handle (plus a Username Key) before someone else does.
Sources: WhatsApp Official Blog and the WhatsApp Help Center. Images: WhatsApp.