On Android and iOS, WhatsApp has introduced a new field for the contact creation screen that lets users save a contact's username alongside their name. The field appears in the same screen where users fill in the name and phone number of a new contact. Users who already have a username can tell new people and businesses to save it in their WhatsApp Contacts.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | Username field for new contacts |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Compatibility: | The latest versions of WhatsApp for Android and iOS are compatible updates. |
| Availability info: | This feature is available to some beta testers, and some users on the stable version may also notice it. |
| Thanks: | Sc, shw_9876, kingcyrious, flakoflow, lostliano, and Muhammad Hammad, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is working on a chat search shortcut for iOS! |
WhatsApp opened username reservations for users on Android and iOS
We previously announced that users could finally reserve their preferred username before the full feature launches. Users can open Settings > Account > Username and choose their preferred handle, as long as it is still available. WhatsApp also introduced an optional username key that adds a new layer of control over who can message you with your username. Now, WhatsApp is gradually rolling out the full username feature, which lets users message new people and businesses without sharing their phone number.
WhatsApp is introducing a username field for new contacts on Android and iOS
WhatsApp is getting the app ready for usernames ahead of the official launch over the coming months. Part of this preparation involves updating the contact creation screen with a new username field. With the latest updates of WhatsApp for iOS and Android, WhatsApp is making it easier for users to create username contacts. Specifically, WhatsApp is rolling out a new username field that users can fill in when they create a new contact. Some users may have noticed the new field in the past few weeks, and it is now becoming available to more accounts.
How to add a username when creating a new contact
The new field shows up in a screen most users already know. Users can tap the "+" button in the navigation bar of the Chats tab. Here, they need to select "New contact" at the top of the list. The contact creation screen looks the same as before, but users will notice a new addition. In particular, WhatsApp just added a username field right alongside the name and phone number. Users who already have a username due to the recent rollout can tell other people to save it together with the rest of the contact details. When usernames become widely available, WhatsApp will also populate this field automatically as soon as users create a new contact from the chat info screen.
What happens when you save a username for a contact
A saved username gives WhatsApp a way to connect the contact's name to their handle. By saving username contacts, users can easily find them at any time. The name shows up in the conversation just like it always does, so nothing feels different from the user's side. As a result, users won't have to guess who is behind a username they already saved.
Username contacts and status updates
When users save a contact by username, WhatsApp adds them to the address book using the contact upload feature. With this functionality, users can also share their status updates with username contacts, as long as both have the other saved in their address book. So the same rule that applies to phone number contacts also applies in this case. Note that WhatsApp introduced a feature that lets some users receive status updates from people they have recently interacted with. For example, you will be able to receive a status update from someone you recently interacted with if they included you in their privacy settings. Now, this is also compatible with username contacts, and your phone number is still protected. If you do not want to see their updates, you can just hide them at any time. By default, status sharing also works when both users saved the username contact and they included the other in their privacy settings.
Why this field is useful before usernames fully launch to everyone
Let's suppose you know someone's username but don't have their phone number. Right now, there is no way to message them on WhatsApp without it. This field lets you save their username in advance, so the moment your account has officially a username and you can mask your phone number, you already have everything you need to contact them. So there is no need to ask for their phone number or go back and update your contacts later.
WhatsApp is rolling out the username field on iOS and Android
The username field in the contact creation screen is currently available to some users who install the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS and Android updates. Note that some users on the stable version on the App Store and Google Play may also notice the same field. At the moment, WhatsApp has not announced when this feature will be widely available to everyone, and it might not be visible in all regions.
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