David Bridges
Key Insights
- Username Feature: WhatsApp will soon introduce the option for users to create a username instead of using their phone number.
- Privacy Benefits: Usernames enhance privacy by allowing users to communicate without revealing their phone numbers.
- Business Impact: Businesses will be able to establish a brand presence through usernames, making it easier for customers to connect.
- Deadline for Changes: Businesses must update their systems by June 2026 to accommodate the new username feature.
After working on the option for some time, WhatsApp is finally set to give users the option to create a username in the app, as opposed to using your phone number as your key identifier.
Which can be a security issue, as you’re basically presenting your phone ID to anyone you connect with in the app. Usernames add another layer of separation between your online and IRL identities, which can be particularly valuable when dealing with businesses, or people whom you don’t know in the app.
As reported by Android Police, WhatsApp has begun informing business users of the coming change, with an official communication outlining the steps required to prepare for its username update.
As explained by WhatsApp:
“We are excited that WhatsApp will soon support one of our most requested features – the ability to adopt a username. This has strong benefits for people and businesses alike: usernames offer people a simple way to further protect their privacy by displaying their username rather than their phone number when messaging with others in 1:1 conversations and in groups.”
WhatsApp says that the option to add a username to your account will be rolled out next year, providing more options to manage how you share your contact information.
“For businesses, usernames will allow you to easily build your brand presence on WhatsApp based on your name rather than your phone number, making it easier for customers to connect with you.
Usernames will make it easier for people to message your business and give them confidence about their privacy – two positive changes to the business messaging experience on WhatsApp.
So like other social platforms, you’ll be able to create a unique brand identity in the app, which could be more aligned with how people are looking to connect.
WhatsApp says that in order to facilitate this update, businesses will need to update their information before June 2026, in preparation for the change.
“In order to process messages from customers who have adopted usernames, businesses will need to prepare your systems and workflows to incorporate this new identifier, referred to as a business-scoped user ID in our technical documents. This new identifier will be available on current and new API versions as a new webhook field. Developer docs are available here.”
WhatsApp says that businesses will also need to update any connected systems that rely on phone numbers (including CRMs), to integrate these new identifiers.
It could be a handy change, and a handy option, at the least, to provide more security and comfort in WhatsApp exchanges outside of the people that you know in real life.
WhatsApp hasn’t provided an official date for this to be implemented, but the deadline of June 2026 for these system updates would suggest that it’s coming in the second half of next year.
Troy Sanders
Maya Kensington
