WhatsApp is launching usernames later in 2026, allowing users and businesses to connect and make calls without revealing their phone numbers. The feature is now in advanced testing, with businesses preparing for full integration and privacy-focused communication across the platform.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Username |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | WhatsApp is launching usernames later in 2026. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.33.8: what's new? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that enables third-party chats in order to comply with European regulations! |
WhatsApp Username Feature: Progress and Upcoming Release
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.33.2 update, we announced that a feature to search and call users using usernames was available. This functionality will allow users to initiate both voice and video calls without needing to know the recipient's phone number, relying instead on a unique username as an identifier. It is designed to improve privacy by minimizing the need to share personal contact details when connecting with new people. This feature is expected to make it easier for users to interact across the platform, enhancing accessibility and flexibility in communication.
The development of the username feature has taken longer than expected due to the complexity of overhauling WhatsApp's core identification system. Engineers needed to redesign large parts of the app's infrastructure to ensure compatibility, scalability, and full encryption support for username-based interactions. Additionally, extensive security validation were necessary to guarantee that privacy standards remained uncompromised during the transition. Finally, today WhatsApp is sharing new details with businesses that reveal how far development has progressed, and how close the feature may be to release.
WhatsApp Confirms Upcoming Username Feature in Latest Announcement
WhatsApp has again confirmed one of its most anticipated updates: the introduction of usernames. This long-requested feature will allow users to connect with others without revealing their phone numbers, a major leap forward for privacy and safety. In the latest update shared with business partners, WhatsApp revealed that usernames will become available next year as an optional privacy feature. While this announcement was directed toward business API users, it is clear that usernames will be available for standard users at the same time. This means both individuals and businesses will gain more control over how they share their contact details, marking a major shift in how people connect on the platform.
Understanding the New WhatsApp Business-Scoped User ID
A Business-Scoped User ID (BSUID) is a unique identifier assigned to each WhatsApp user that allows businesses to message them even when their phone number is not known. The BSUID will be linked to the user_id parameter and included in all message webhooks, regardless of whether the user has enabled the username feature. In practice, this means that businesses can continue communicating securely with users while maintaining privacy and compliance with WhatsApp's evolving data protection standards.
The business-scoped user ID is designed to act as a stable and privacy-friendly way for businesses to recognize and support customers who choose to use usernames instead of phone numbers. This new identifier will appear as a field in WhatsApp's webhook notifications and will be supported in both current and future API versions. Developers will need to update their systems to ensure that message routing, customer records, and automated responses continue to work seamlessly.
By introducing this ID, WhatsApp is modernizing how customer data is managed, ensuring that privacy and functionality evolve together. This change also lays the groundwork for future integrations, where businesses might interact with customers entirely through usernames rather than personal contact information. It reflects a growing shift in digital communication, where privacy-first infrastructure is becoming the standard. Developers who adapt early will be able to test and fine-tune their systems well before usernames become widely available.
What Businesses Need to Do Before June 2026
WhatsApp has provided a clear timeline for businesses: all systems must be updated to support usernames and the new identifier by June 2026. That gives businesses about 7 months to make technical adjustments. Businesses using the WhatsApp Business API should begin reviewing how their current workflows depend on phone numbers, including CRM integrations, analytics tools, and customer support systems. Once usernames roll out, phone numbers will no longer be the only method of identifying users within chats or system logs.
WhatsApp is encouraging developers to integrate the new user ID field as soon as it becomes available. WhatsApp has already updated its developer documentation to explain the transition process and provide sample workflows. By taking these steps early, businesses can ensure uninterrupted customer communication and take advantage of the enhanced privacy features that usernames bring. This preparation will help avoid disruptions and maintain trust with customers who choose to adopt usernames.
How Usernames Improve Privacy and Customer Confidence
This change isn't just technical, but it's about strengthening trust between users and businesses. Many people hesitate to contact businesses because it requires sharing their phone numbers. With usernames, that barrier will finally disappear. Customers can now reach out to a business confidently, knowing their private number remains hidden unless they decide to share it.
For businesses, this added layer of privacy helps encourage engagement, especially from new customers who value anonymity in the early stages of interaction. It also gives brands a chance to build credibility through recognizable usernames instead of phone-based identities. As a result, usernames themselves are the core feature enabling this shift, offering a simple, secure, and privacy-centered way for people and businesses to connect.
A Step Toward a More Modern and Private WhatsApp Ecosystem
The latest announcement shared by WhatsApp with businesses indicates an important evolution of the platform's identity system. By introducing usernames and business-scoped user IDs, WhatsApp wants to enhance communication without depending on phone numbers. This transition also reflects how people now expect messaging apps to protect their personal details while still offering convenience and reliability. Since WhatsApp emphasized that usernames will become available next year, and businesses must adapt to the new system by June 2026, this suggests that the ability to reserve a username may be expected to roll out during the first half of the year.
Although the technical update is primarily aimed at businesses, regular users stand to benefit equally from the privacy improvements. When usernames become available next year, everyone will have the option to use them, offering a balance between safety and simplicity. The gradual rollout and long preparation period suggest that WhatsApp is taking care to ensure a bug-free experience for both businesses and customers.
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