WhatsApp usernames are coming: Meta briefs businesses ahead of 2026 launch

Meta has been quietly building WhatsApp usernames support for more than two years. Early traces surfaced in May 2023, and Meta publicly confirmed the plan in October 2024—then went largely silent. Now there’s movement: Meta has emailed businesses to prepare for usernames, outlining what will change and when.

What WhatsApp usernames change?

Meta says usernames will let people and businesses display a handle instead of a phone number in individual and group chats. The goal is straightforward: more privacy for users and stronger branding for companies. Meta notes it has “heard that people feel more confident engaging with businesses when their personal information stays private,” and expects usernames to improve business interactions by lowering that privacy barrier.

Optional feature, slated for next year

Crucially, usernames will be optional. Meta’s email indicates the feature will roll out next year, so there are still a few months to go. In the meantime, Meta wants businesses to update workflows that rely on customer identifiers, since a username may replace a phone number in certain contexts.

Early reservations and the rules you’ll have to follow

Before the feature goes live, WhatsApp will offer an early reservation window so users can secure their preferred handle. Based on prior reporting, WhatsApp will enforce several naming rules:

• Length: 3–30 characters

• Allowed special characters: periods (.) and underscores (_) only

• Must not start with “www” or end with a top-level domain like .com or .net

• Cannot begin or end with a period

Competitive context

WhatsApp is late to the party. Rivals Telegram and Signal have long supported usernames, enabling contact without phone-number sharing. WhatsApp’s implementation aims to deliver the same convenience while maintaining its focus on privacy and trust, especially for business messaging.

What businesses should do now

• Audit identifiers: Map all places where your systems assume a phone number; plan for username-based IDs.

• Adjust support flows: Update CRM and chat routing so agents can work with handles as primary contact.

• Brand your handle: Choose a clear, on-brand username and reserve it early when the window opens.

• Communicate the change: Let customers know they can reach you via username without sharing their number.

Bottom line: After years of hints, WhatsApp usernames are finally on the runway. Expect an optional, privacy-forward system, early handle reservations, and a 2026 debut that could reshape how people connect with brands—without handing over their phone numbers.