Meta-owned WhatsApp announced Monday that users can begin reserving optional usernames ahead of the feature's launch later this year. The company said reservations are opening this week to give users an opportunity to secure a preferred username before the broader rollout.
In a post published on the WhatsApp Blog, the company said it is opening reservations early because its more than three billion users mean many names overlap, giving people an opportunity to reserve the username that matters to them.
Image: Whatsapp
According to WhatsApp, usernames are intended to let people communicate without sharing their phone numbers. Once the feature launches, users who enable a username will no longer have their phone number shown when messaging a person or business for the first time.
For creators, small businesses and organizations, WhatsApp said it has provided an option to claim an existing Instagram or Facebook username for use on WhatsApp.
Image: Whatsapp
Users with the latest version of WhatsApp can reserve an optional username by going to Settings > Account > Username. The company said usernames will roll out gradually over the coming months, and users will receive an in-app notification when the feature becomes available in their country.
In a separate development, WABetaInfo reported Tuesday that WhatsApp is developing a feature for Android that would allow users to link additional devices using a passkey as an alternative method alongside QR code-based device linking. According to the publication, the feature remains under development, is not yet available for beta testing, and WhatsApp has not announced a timeline for its release.
Reviewed by Irfan Ahmad.
Read next: What 20 million bans reveal about the strain on Wikipedia’s volunteers
In a post published on the WhatsApp Blog, the company said it is opening reservations early because its more than three billion users mean many names overlap, giving people an opportunity to reserve the username that matters to them.
According to WhatsApp, usernames are intended to let people communicate without sharing their phone numbers. Once the feature launches, users who enable a username will no longer have their phone number shown when messaging a person or business for the first time.
For creators, small businesses and organizations, WhatsApp said it has provided an option to claim an existing Instagram or Facebook username for use on WhatsApp.
Users with the latest version of WhatsApp can reserve an optional username by going to Settings > Account > Username. The company said usernames will roll out gradually over the coming months, and users will receive an in-app notification when the feature becomes available in their country.
In a separate development, WABetaInfo reported Tuesday that WhatsApp is developing a feature for Android that would allow users to link additional devices using a passkey as an alternative method alongside QR code-based device linking. According to the publication, the feature remains under development, is not yet available for beta testing, and WhatsApp has not announced a timeline for its release.
Reviewed by Irfan Ahmad.
Read next: What 20 million bans reveal about the strain on Wikipedia’s volunteers
