Following years of anticipation and months of preparation, WhatsApp today began rolling out username reservations worldwide, allowing users to claim a unique name before the privacy-focused feature launches later this year. Here are the details.
WhatsApp username reservations now rolling out
Starting today, WhatsApp is rolling out username reservations, with users receiving an in-app notification when the option becomes available to them in Settings > Account > Username.
With support for usernames, WhatsApp users will be able to message new people and businesses or join group chats without necessarily revealing their phone numbers. The company notes that while the feature will be optional, usernames add an extra layer of privacy by giving users greater control over who can see their number.
Despite recommending that users choose a username known only to people they want to hear from, WhatsApp says it is opening reservations ahead of the feature’s launch because, with more than three billion users, many people are likely to want the same names.
