WhatsApp May Launch Username Features soon
In an effort to enhance user privacy and improve the overall experience, WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform owned by Meta, is reportedly working on introducing usernames as an alternative to phone numbers. This feature, present in the beta version 2.23.11.15 update for Android, will enable users to set unique usernames for their accounts, consequently providing an option to identify contacts without the need to share phone numbers.
WhatsApp has traditionally relied on phone numbers as the primary identity for accounts, meaning that in individual or group chats, all participants can view each other’s phone numbers. the new feature would allow users to hide their phone numbers, especially from those who are not in their contact book.
The username feature was first reported by WABetaInfo and later confirmed by TechCrunch, which found references to the username field in the code of the latest Android app2. The username section will be displayed on the Profile page in Settings2. It is not yet clear how users will be able to choose a username, given the current user base of 2 billion people. Meta has yet to comment on the development or share further details about the feature.
WhatsApp’s move may place it in direct competition with other messaging apps such as Telegram, which already allows users to display their usernames instead of phone numbers. Telegram has also introduced auctions for premium usernames, based on the TON blockchain. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how WhatsApp handles potential claims for premium usernames and how it plans to protect them.
Alongside the username feature, WhatsApp is also redesigning its settings page. The latest Android beta updates, versions 2.23.11.16 and 2.23.11.18, display a revamped settings interface, with prominent shortcuts for profile, privacy, and contacts, as well as a more organized layout to facilitate user navigation.
These developments are part of WhatsApp’s recent efforts to improve its service offerings. Earlier this month, the platform introduced a new privacy feature that allows users to hide and lock individual conversations, which can only be unlocked with a device’s biometric authentication or password2. WhatsApp has also recently launched a feature that allows users to edit sent messages within a 15-minute window, with a global rollout expected in the coming weeks.
It should be noted that these features are currently in the beta stage and are expected to be released in a future update of WhatsApp. With these enhancements, WhatsApp aims to provide its users with greater privacy, improved usability, and a more streamlined user interface.
