WhatsApp Username Reservations Now Open, Here Is How To Claim Yours

WhatsApp has begun rolling out username reservations to its more than three billion users worldwide, letting people lock in a unique handle ahead of the feature's full launch later this year. The Meta owned messaging app announced the move on June 29, 2026, and reservations are now being made available in phases across regions.

The feature is designed to let users message new contacts, businesses, or join group chats without sharing their phone number, marking one of the most requested privacy upgrades to the platform in years.

How to Reserve a Username

To claim a handle, users need to open WhatsApp, go to Settings, then Account, and tap Username. Depending on the stage of the rollout, the option may appear as "Create Username" or "Reserve Username." Once available, users can either pick their own name or use an in-app generator, provided the handle is not already taken.

For now, reservations are only available through the mobile app. Users who have not received the option yet are advised to keep WhatsApp updated, since WhatsApp is notifying users in-app once the option becomes available to them in their region.WhatsApp Username Feature Now Available in India; Know How To Create.

Username Rules and Restrictions

WhatsApp usernames must be between three and 35 characters and can include lowercase letters, numbers, underscores, and periods, though a username made up entirely of numbers is not permitted. According to WABetaInfo, the handle must also start with a letter rather than a number or symbol, cannot begin with "www." or end in a domain extension, and cannot contain two periods in a row. WhatsApp Username Feature: What It Is and How Users Can Chat Without Sharing Phone Numbers.

Since usernames must be unique across the platform, a name already claimed by another user cannot be taken until that person changes or deletes it, at which point it becomes available again. WhatsApp has also stated that certain names tied to businesses, government bodies, and public figures are being held back to reduce the risk of impersonation.

Claiming a Username That Matches Instagram or Facebook

Creators, businesses, and organisations that want consistent branding across platforms can claim the same username they already use on Instagram or Facebook. To do this, users need to link their WhatsApp account to Meta's Accounts Centre, the same hub used to connect Instagram and Facebook profiles. Simply typing in an existing handle does not work unless ownership is verified through this linking process.

Because a username can exist separately on Instagram and Facebook, both accounts are effectively competing for the same handle on WhatsApp, so users hoping to secure a matching username are being encouraged to reserve it as soon as the option appears.

Privacy Features and Optional Username Key

Unlike other social platforms, WhatsApp says there will be no searchable directory or autocomplete suggestions for usernames. This means a new contact must know a person's exact username in order to reach them for the first time.

Users can also set up an optional key, similar to a password, that others must know before messaging them for the first time. During the reservation phase this key is limited to four digits, though it will be upgraded to an alphanumeric code once usernames go live. People who already have a user's phone number saved do not need the key to send a message.

Background and Rollout Timeline

Usernames have been in development at WhatsApp for some time, with reservation tools first spotted in testing as far back as October 2025 and a limited beta appearing among select users in April. The company is rolling out reservations gradually by region and says the feature itself will become fully available in the coming months, with in-app notifications alerting users when it goes live in their country.

The launch follows a similar approach taken by Signal, which already allows users to connect through usernames rather than phone numbers. Meta has acknowledged some concern that unverified usernames could be used by scammers to impersonate real people, though the company has not detailed how it plans to screen for such cases beyond restricting names linked to public figures and organisations.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 04, 2026 04:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).