WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.1.32: what's new?

WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.26.1.32.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature that brings the username functionality to chats, and it will be available in a future update!

WhatsApp Is Developing Username-Based Communication

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.33.2, we announced that a feature that allows users to search and call others using usernames is under development. This functionality will enable users to initiate voice and video calls by entering a username instead of relying on a phone number. It is designed to improve privacy by keeping personal numbers hidden when connecting with new or unknown contacts. The feature will integrate directly into the Chats and Calls tab, allowing searches across saved contacts and users outside the address book. Only limited public details, such as a profile photo and chosen username, will be shown to confirm the correct account.

Although the feature is still in active development and progressing steadily, WhatsApp continues to refine multiple aspects of the username system. These improvements aim to ensure greater clarity and transparency when users communicate with an account identified by a username. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.1.32 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that brings the username functionality to chats!

As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a feature that allows users to start and manage conversations using usernames instead of phone numbers, scheduled for release in a future update. Once a username-based account is found through the search bar in the Chats tab, users will be able to start a conversation where the phone number is not visible to either party, unless both users have each other's phone number saved in their address books. This approach protects sensitive personal information, since phone numbers are often linked to identity and external data sources outside WhatsApp. By hiding the number, users can interact more freely with people they do not know yet, reducing the risk of unwanted contact outside the app. This is especially useful in situations like group discussions, temporary conversations, or first interactions with businesses.

In these username chats, the username will appear as the main title of the conversation when the account is not saved in the internal WhatsApp address book. The same username will also be clearly displayed in the chat info screen, directly below the profile photo and contact name area. Keeping the username permanently visible in this section helps users immediately understand who they are chatting with, without ambiguity. This design choice reduces confusion and makes it easier to recognize the username as the primary point of reference for the conversation, especially in chats that are not linked to a saved contact. If the phone number is saved in the address book, it will appear in the chat info screen below the three main action buttons, alongside other contact details.

From a technical perspective, username chats will behave like any other WhatsApp conversation. Messages, voice notes, calls, and shared media will remain protected by end-to-end encryption. This means that only the participants can read or listen to the content. Even WhatsApp servers will not have access to message content, preserving the same security guarantees users are already familiar with. The main change happens at the identification level, not in how messages are transmitted or secured.

Instead of using a phone number as the primary chat identifier, WhatsApp will rely on a different system for future conversations. WhatsApp will associate each chat with a random internal identifier along with the chosen username, rather than exposing the phone number. This reduces the amount of sensitive information exchanged during chat initialization and storage. As a result, usernames become the visible reference point, while technical identifiers stay hidden in the background.

Regarding availability, the development has taken more time due to deep changes required in its core identification infrastructure. Recent information shared with business partners confirms that usernames are planned as an optional feature coming this year for both individual users and businesses. Since businesses are required to update their systems by June 2026, this suggests that at least the ability to reserve a username may begin rolling out to users in the first half of the year. This timeline indicates that the feature is approaching a mature stage, even if testing and refinements are still ongoing.

The feature that brings the username functionality to chats is currently under development and is planned for release in a future update. WhatsApp is testing how this new system integrates with existing chat settings to ensure a smooth and intuitive experience for users. The interface is being refined to make it easy to start a conversation using a username without exposing a phone number. Once released, users will be able to communicate through chats identified by usernames, improving privacy and clarity when interacting with contacts outside their address book.

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