WhatsApp will soon let users pick unique usernames

WEB DESK: For more than a decade, WhatsApp has kept things simple. If you wanted to chat with someone, you needed their phone number, full stop. No handles, no fancy usernames, just digits. But that’s about to change, and it could be one of the biggest updates to the app in years.

A major shift from phone numbers

According to new details spotted by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is getting ready to roll out username support. And before it happens, the app will introduce a reservation system so people can lock in their preferred names. Think of it like claiming your hotmail email address back in the early days: first come, first served.

Rules for choosing your username

The rules for picking a name are already taking shape. You can’t start with “www.coolguyxyz” (sorry, wannabe pranksters), usernames must include at least one letter, and only certain characters are allowed: lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. This keeps the system clean and avoids chaos from spammy or unreadable handles.

But when will it actually launch?

This implies that WhatsApp users may soon be able to create their usernames, but the question is: when? Right now, WhatsApp hasn’t officially confirmed when users will be able to create or reserve them.

All the details so far come from WABetaInfo’s findings in beta builds, which show that the username reservation link has started appearing in WhatsApp’s settings for testing. This strongly suggests the feature is in its final development phase. Meta hasn’t provided a launch date, but the presence of a reservation system hints that it could be introduced in the near future, possibly in upcoming app updates, though no timeline has been confirmed.

Why usernames matter

Why does this matter? For one, it could make connecting with people a lot easier. Instead of sharing your personal number, you could simply give someone your username, just like you do on Telegram or Instagram. It could also cut down on spam and impersonation issues if users rush to claim their real names before anyone else does.

So, if you’ve got a clever handle in mind, it might be time to get ready. WhatsApp’s username era is almost here.

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