WhatsApp Prepares to Roll Out Usernames, Allows Early Handle Reservation

WhatsApp is finally moving beyond its phone-number-only identity system, taking a significant step toward introducing usernames and allowing users to reserve their desired handles ahead of the official launch. This feature is currently being developed for the Android beta version, marking a major shift for the messaging giant.

Reservation System to Prevent Handle Sniping

To ensure a fair rollout and give users a chance to secure their preferred names, WhatsApp is setting up a username reservation system. The ability to reserve a handle will reportedly be available under the Profile section within the app’s Settings.

This pre-emptive step is crucial because the full username functionality is expected to roll out in phases. By allowing early reservation, the platform aims to reduce the risk of preferred usernames being taken by others before the feature reaches all users.

How the New Usernames Will Work

The introduction of usernames, a feature long available on rival platforms like Telegram, will allow users to connect and communicate without publicly sharing their phone numbers. The new handles will be subject to specific formatting rules:

• Allowed Characters: Usernames can contain lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), periods (.), and underscores (_).
• Minimum Requirement: A username must contain at least one letter. This prevents handles composed entirely of numbers or symbols.
• Restrictions: Usernames cannot begin with ‘www.’ to prevent users from being mistakenly identified as an official website entity.

The move is seen as a way to enhance privacy, as it will allow users to limit unsolicited messages. With the full implementation, only individuals who have a user’s key along with their username will be able to initiate a conversation, reducing the frequency of random or unwanted contact.

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