WhatsApp is preparing to change how people connect and protect themselves on the platform. Two major privacy-focused features are now in development: one will let users make calls using usernames instead of phone numbers, while another will introduce a strict security mode for those who believe they may be at risk of cyber attacks. Both updates, spotted in the latest Android and iOS beta versions, show how the company is rethinking identity and protection across its ecosystem.
Connecting Through Usernames
As per Wabetainfo, the upcoming username-based calling system will allow users to search for and contact others without sharing phone numbers. Once available, users will be able to enter a person’s chosen username directly in the Calls tab to start a voice or video call. This approach adds a new level of privacy, as phone numbers will no longer serve as the only identifier between contacts.
The feature is designed to make it easier to connect with people who are not already saved in a user’s contact list. It mirrors systems already common in other messaging apps but keeps WhatsApp’s focus on private communication. The company is testing ways to ensure that usernames remain unique, and that only minimal profile details, such as a picture or display name, appear when a username is searched. These small design changes aim to help users reach each other quickly while staying in control of what information is shared.
Extra Control Through the Username Key
Alongside usernames, WhatsApp is also working on a protective element known as the username key. According to WBI, this optional code will give users the ability to limit who can reach them through a username call. Only those who know the correct key, or who already have an active chat, will be able to start a call.
The idea is to prevent unwanted contact or spam attempts without restricting communication between trusted connections. If a user enables the key, WhatsApp’s system will quietly verify it before any call begins. The goal is to keep the experience seamless but guarded, offering people who value privacy a higher level of control over their visibility on the platform.
Lockdown Mode for High-Risk Users
WhatsApp’s second major update, still in early testing, focuses on users who suspect they may be targeted by cyber attacks. The feature works as a lockdown-style mode that automatically activates a stricter set of account protections. Instead of manually adjusting several settings, users will be able to apply the most secure configuration through a single toggle.
Once enabled, this mode blocks media and attachments from unknown senders, preventing potentially malicious files from downloading automatically. It also disables link previews to reduce the chance of leaking device or location information when a website is accessed through shared links. Unknown callers are muted by default, helping to stop spam and zero-click attack attempts, while group invitations are restricted to known contacts only. Together, these measures form a consistent layer of defense against unwanted communication.
In addition, this setting limits visibility of profile information, such as last seen, status, and profile photo, to contacts only. Security notifications will stay active, alerting users if a contact’s encryption key changes, and two-step verification will be required for any account re-registration. By combining these elements, WhatsApp hopes to create a simpler, more reliable protection system that even less tech-savvy users can manage confidently.
Strengthening a Privacy-First Framework
Both the username-based calling system and the strict account mode fit into WhatsApp’s broader shift toward minimizing personal exposure. End-to-end encryption continues to safeguard every call and message, while the option to mask IP addresses during calls prevents others from tracking a user’s approximate location. The company’s latest updates suggest that privacy is no longer treated as a background feature but as the main structure of how people connect on the app.
WhatsApp’s next era of communication looks set to replace phone numbers with trust.
Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.
Read next: OpenAI’s Sora Expands to Android, Fueling a New Wave of AI-Generated Videos
