WhatsApp is testing a major update that would allow users to connect using unique usernames instead of phone numbers — a move that could reshape the app’s approach to privacy and identity.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to reports, the feature, spotted in WhatsApp’s beta testing programme, will let people chat and join groups using usernames rather than phone numbers. The goal is to give users more privacy and control, particularly in large group chats or business interactions where sharing personal numbers can feel intrusive.
Leaked screenshots reveal a new “Username” field within user profiles, enabling people to create distinct handles and hide their phone numbers if they wish.
While the change could make WhatsApp resemble social platforms like Instagram, Telegram, or X, experts warn it may also open the door to challenges such as username squatting and impersonation.
To address potential misuse, WhatsApp is expected to roll out verification tools alongside the new feature. Though still in testing, the update is being described as one of the most significant privacy shifts in the app’s history.
If fully launched, it could redefine how more than two billion users connect — making WhatsApp less about numbers and more about names.
