WhatsApp is finally getting usernames

WhatsApp continues to surprise with its wave of “new” features. After announcing an official app for iPad, the platform is now gearing up to launch something users of other messaging apps have enjoyed for years: usernames. And yes, we’ve seen this before — in Telegram.

According to WABetaInfo (via Tecnoblog), the username feature was recently spotted in the TestFlight beta version of WhatsApp for iOS. While it’s still under development and not yet available even for beta testers, strings in the code confirm that WhatsApp is actively building the UI and logic for the rollout.

The feature is designed with privacy in mind. Once live, users will be able to contact others without needing their phone number — the username will appear instead. WhatsApp will also introduce a structured set of rules to ensure consistency and security.

WhatsApp will lay out some rules around how you’ll be able to select a username:

• Usernames must include at least one letter
• Allowed characters: lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), periods, and underscores
• Usernames cannot begin with “www.”
• Length must be between 3 and 30 characters

Once you pick a valid username, WhatsApp will confirm it with a cheerful confetti animation. It will then be displayed in conversations and group chats instead of your number. If you later decide to update your username, a system message will notify your contacts — much like changes to your profile photo or number.

A future web update will also let users check if a desired handle is available — another sign that the feature is nearing release, though no official launch date has been set.

While Telegram may have led the way on usernames, WhatsApp’s move signals a clear shift: privacy is no longer just a bonus — it’s becoming standard.