WhatsApp is working on a username availability verification feature for phone number privacy on Web

WhatsApp is developing a new username verification system for the web client that allows users to check username availability in real time directly from their profile page. This feature aims to enhance privacy and user control by letting others connect via unique usernames instead of phone numbers, reducing unwanted contact and improving account security.

We previously reported that WhatsApp is developing support for usernames on the web client, marking a significant shift away from the long-standing reliance on phone numbers for communication. This feature will allow users to create a unique identifier that can be used instead of exposing their phone number during interactions with unknown people. Although still in development, WhatsApp is actively refining username support on the web client ahead of the official beta release, aiming to deliver a more optimized experience from the start. Following recent updates to the WhatsApp Web beta, we discovered that WhatsApp is actively developing a feature that allows users to verify username availability directly from the web client.

As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a feature that will allow users to verify if their preferred username is available directly within the web client, scheduled for release in a future update. This feature prompts users to enter a preferred username in a designated field on the profile page, with real-time verification of availability as they type. The interface will promptly indicate availability by displaying a green checkmark and a confirmation message when a username is available. Alternatively, if a username is already taken or reserved, the system shows a red warning with an alert icon and a message indicating that the username is not available. This clearly demonstrates that WhatsApp is developing a robust verification system to ensure the uniqueness of each username, preventing duplicates as usernames are reserved immediately upon confirmation.

Once a user selects an available username and confirms it, this identifier will be what new unknown contacts see instead of their phone number. This greatly enhances privacy by giving users control over who can view their sensitive contact information. For example, when connected through a username, access to the phone number is not automatically granted unless the user chooses to share it, which significantly reduces the risk of spam, scams, or unwanted contact.

It is worth noting that people who already have your phone number saved will still be able to find and message you on WhatsApp. This ensures continuity in communication with known contacts, while still giving users new layers of control over their visibility to unknown users. Although no official release date has been provided yet, the progress shown in the username availability interface suggests that development is advancing steadily, bringing the feature a step closer to eventual public testing. Extensive testing is expected to continue in the background as WhatsApp fine-tunes the user experience, addresses any technical challenges, and further develops features related to username-based chats ahead of the official release.

A username availability verification feature for phone number privacy is under development and it will be available in a future update of the web client. We will share more information about this feature in an upcoming article as additional details become available.

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