WhatsApp is preparing to introduce two significant features aimed at improving user privacy and message management, reflecting the app’s ongoing effort to keep pace with modern messaging platforms. First, it plans to roll out usernames, allowing users to connect without revealing their phone numbers. Second, it has started enabling users to select and copy specific portions of a message, a subtle but valuable upgrade to chat usability.
The username system represents a shift in how WhatsApp users identify themselves within the app. Instead of sharing their phone number—often regarded as sensitive information—users will choose a unique handle to share with others. This approach aligns with the privacy models used by platforms like Telegram and Signal. Under the new system, anyone who wants to contact a user without having their phone number will see the chosen username instead.
To ensure clarity and prevent confusion, WhatsApp will enforce several rules for usernames, as spotted by WBI. Each must contain at least one letter and can only include lowercase letters, digits, periods, and underscores. Notably, usernames cannot start with “www.” to avoid resembling web addresses. After selecting a valid username, users will receive a visual confirmation, signaling that their new identity is now part of conversations and group chats in place of their phone number.
WhatsApp will also notify contacts about username changes through system messages within chats, similar to how it currently handles profile picture or phone number updates. This way, communication remains transparent and users stay informed when their contacts alter how they appear in the app. Although this feature is still under development and unavailable to the public, its presence in beta versions hints at an imminent launch. Furthermore, upcoming updates will let users verify username availability on WhatsApp’s web platform, adding convenience to the signup process.
Alongside this major privacy enhancement, WhatsApp has begun to improve how users interact with messages in the chat interface. The latest update for iOS devices introduces a function that allows users to select and copy only certain parts of a message, instead of the entire text. By pressing and holding a message, users can now drag their finger across specific words or sentences to highlight just the segment they want. This partial selection eliminates the cumbersome step of copying whole messages and manually deleting irrelevant parts, streamlining the sharing of precise information.
This finer control over message copying works consistently across individual chats, groups, and channels, making it a versatile tool for everyday use. While the feature has started to reach some users through recent app updates, its availability will expand gradually in the coming weeks.
Together, these additions demonstrate WhatsApp’s commitment to enhancing user privacy and improving the chat experience by adopting features that have become standard among competing messaging apps. With usernames promising a safer way to connect and partial text selection offering more efficient message handling, WhatsApp continues to evolve toward meeting users’ growing expectations.
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