After opening username reservations to users on Android and iOS, WhatsApp is finally extending the same option to its Cloud API business partners. WhatsApp shared this update directly with its partners in a new communication. The full username feature is rolling out over the coming weeks.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | Reserve username |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Compatibility: | The latest versions of WhatsApp for Android and iOS are compatible updates. |
| Availability info: | The ability to reserve a username is available to business partners through WhatsApp Manager, Meta Business Suite, or the Username API. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is testing new navigation updates for the iOS interface! |
WhatsApp previously shared official updates on usernames with business partners
Last November, WhatsApp sent an official communication to its business partners with first details about usernames and Business-Scoped User IDs. At that time, WhatsApp confirmed that usernames would launch in 2026 for both users and businesses. The company also introduced the concept of the BSUID: a unique identifier that businesses could use to message customers even without a phone number. WhatsApp set June 2026 as the deadline for businesses to prepare their systems for this transition.
Username reservations are now open for users on Android and iOS
Two days ago, WhatsApp rolled out the feature to let users reserve a username on Android and iOS. To reserve a username before the full feature becomes available, users can open WhatsApp Settings > Account > Username. WhatsApp also offers a generator for those who do not know which username to choose. The full feature, which will allow users to message new people and businesses without sharing their phone number, is still on its way.
WhatsApp opens username reservations to business partners
Today, WhatsApp is informing its Cloud API partners that they can now reserve and claim a username through WhatsApp Manager, Meta Business Suite, or the Username API. This means that WhatsApp is also extending the username reservation to businesses that use the Cloud API. However, this is separate from what regular users on WhatsApp Business could already do. Cloud API partners operate at a much larger scale, and they can now secure their preferred handle before the full username feature becomes available. Any username a business claims now will activate automatically once usernames are available in their region.
WhatsApp introduces two new tools for business partners
WhatsApp also announced two new capabilities that will help businesses contact their customers. The first one is "Send to BSUID". This feature allows businesses to send messages to a customer using their Business-Scoped User ID instead of a phone number. This means that businesses can contact their customers even if they do not know their phone number. The second tool is a "Phone Number Request call-to-action button". With this feature, a business can place a new button within a conversation to ask a customer to share their phone number. If the customer agrees, WhatsApp adds the number to the business Contact Book automatically.
What changes when a customer adopts a username
When WhatsApp releases usernames to everyone, something will change for businesses that receive new messages through the Cloud API. When a user with a username sends a first message to a business they never contacted before, the API will return a BSUID without the phone number. However, this will only affect new conversations from users who have a username. For customers a business already has a history with, the phone number will continue to be the first identifier as long as Contact Book is active and the two parties interacted recently. Businesses can still send messages and make calls to numbers they already know.
Businesses need to update their systems before usernames become widely available
WhatsApp is asking Cloud API partners to complete their BSUID integration as soon as possible. Businesses need to review their workflows that depend on phone numbers. WhatsApp already updated its developer documentation to explain how businesses can migrate to BSUID. Businesses can start testing the BSUID today using the dummy API and existing webhook endpoints. Any business that waits too long to adapt risks disruption once users with a username start sending messages.
WhatsApp will roll out usernames in the coming weeks
WhatsApp confirmed that usernames will be available to all users gradually over the coming weeks. Users can already reserve their favorite handle right now, and the full feature launch follows soon after. WhatsApp will notify users directly in the app when usernames become available in their country. Cloud API partners can now claim a username as well.
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