WhatsApp is finalizing a long-requested feature: the ability to use unique usernames to start conversations without having to give out your phone number. References in the Android beta also point to a reservation system of the alias to ensure the desired name before it is activated in bulk.
The novelty, visible in the version 2.25.28.12 of the beta, seeks to organize deployment and strengthen privacy. With this measure, each account will be able to be identified by a @alias exclusive, like other platforms, and choose it in advance to avoid the race for the most popular names.
What changes with WhatsApp usernames?
Identification by alias will allow start chats without exposing the number, a key point for those who separate the personal from the professional or deal with large audiences. The names will be preceded by @ and they will be unique, so two identical ones cannot coexist.
The company plans for this function to coexist with the current system: using a username will not be mandatoryThose who prefer to continue sharing their number can do so without changing their usual usage habits.
By sharing the alias, it will be possible to generate a direct link for another person to initiate contact, maintaining Greater control over personal informationThis approach mimics what was seen in Telegram features or Instagram, but with its own security features.
Based on the clues found, alias management will be integrated into the profile within Settings and will appear between the phone number and the links, facilitating quick access when it becomes generally available.
How alias reservation will work
Before the global rollout, WhatsApp will enable a mechanism to secure the username preferred. This reservation phase will be independent of the total activation, so that everyone starts with the same opportunities and there are no advantages for those with early access.
The distribution of the reservation system will be done in a manner priority and staggered, with the idea of ​​expanding the test audience, detecting possible failures and avoiding crashes. The full deployment of aliases, meanwhile, will be gradual and slower.
One of the objectives of this preparation is to prevent the hoarding of aliases of public figures, brands or highly sought-after termsWith reservations, the platform aims to make the process more orderly and fair for its user base.
Although there is no official date, evidence in beta suggests that the reservation announcement will come first and then they will be activated progressively all functions associated with the username. Rules on allowed characters and availability checks to avoid duplicates.
Username Password and Anti-Spam Measures
WhatsApp works in a username PIN or key that will need to be entered the first time someone tries to write to you using your alias. This step adds a consent layer to avoid unwanted messages and stop spam.
In practice, even if someone knows your @alias, they will only be able to start the chat if they also have the associated keyThis is especially useful for high-visibility profiles—such as creators, businesses, or celebrities—who might receive thousands of requests without this filter.
The typical example helps to understand it: if a well-known character records @your_nameYou'll have to share your password with anyone who wants to talk to you for the first time; without it, any stranger could write to you, increasing the noise and abuse.
The development of this feature has been going on since 2023 and is still in the testing phase. It is advisable to keep an eye on official channels and reliable sources for updates. avoid fraud or false invitations to paid betas, and wait for stable versions to know definitive dates and requirements.
With this evolution, WhatsApp is betting on giving more control and privacy In contact: unique aliases with pre-reservation, phased rollout, and a verification key for the first message that aims to reduce spam without complicating the experience.
