TL;DR
- WhatsApp is adding the option to register for a unique username.
- Usernames allow users to message each other without sharing phone numbers.
- Sign-ups are live now in the WhatsApp app for some users.
WhatsApp is making an overdue change. Starting today, you can reserve a unique username that other users can use to contact you on the platform, eliminating the need to share your phone number with everyone you chat with.
The change was announced today on WhatsApp’s blog. Reservations are starting now ahead of usernames going live “later this year.” WhatsApp says that you’ll be able to get a username starting this week, but at least two of us here at Android Authority have been able to snag a username already. Still, others don’t have the option, so it seems like it could be a staged rollout.
