WhatsApp has officially confirmed that usernames will launch globally in 2026, marking the end of its long-standing reliance on phone numbers as the platform’s sole identity system. In emails sent to business partners on January 15, Meta confirmed that WhatsApp’s 2.9 billion users will be able to communicate using optional @usernames instead of exposing phone numbers in chats, calls, and searches.
WABetaInfo reported that businesses must integrate the new system by June 2026, with consumer username reservations expected to open in the first half of the year. The move brings WhatsApp closer to competitors like Telegram and Signal, which have supported usernames for years.
The update introduces optional handles and a new backend identifier called the Business-Scoped User ID (BSUID), allowing users to interact with businesses without revealing phone numbers. WhatsApp will continue to maintain end-to-end encryption for all chats, unlike Telegram where only “Secret Chats” are encrypted by default.
According to TechJuice, usernames will appear in conversations when phone numbers are hidden, while saved contacts will still see numbers by default. The feature also enables voice and video calls without exposing personal contact details.
The rollout follows years of development and testing, as noted by GadgetHacks, and aligns with broader regulatory pressure under the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Analysts suggest usernames could also support future cross-platform messaging requirements.
Meta says businesses using the WhatsApp Business API must update systems ahead of the June 2026 deadline, with developer guidance already available through official channels. Early research indicates users are more likely to engage with businesses when personal phone numbers remain private.
The username rollout represents WhatsApp’s biggest identity shift since end-to-end encryption launched in 2016, signaling a gradual move toward stronger privacy controls without abandoning its massive global network.
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