WhatsApp is finally ready to do away with phone numbers for those who don’t want to exchange them.
The chatting app is now allowing users to reserve usernames before the feature becomes available later this year.
The feature will let people connect on WhatsApp without sharing their personal phone numbers.
Reservations are starting this week and require the latest version of WhatsApp.
Users can open WhatsApp and go to:
Settings > Account > Username
They can then select and reserve a username for use when the feature launches in their country. The feature does not appear to be available in Pakistan just yet, as the username option is not showing for us at ProPakistani on the latest version of WhatsApp.
The company is opening reservations early because more than 3 billion people use WhatsApp, which means many users may want similar names.
Once usernames launch, people who enable the feature will be able to message a person or business for the first time without showing their phone number.
The recipient will see the username instead.
The feature is optional, so users will not be required to create or use a username.
WhatsApp will not provide a public directory of usernames or suggest accounts to users.
A person will need to know someone’s exact username before contacting them for the first time.
WhatsApp is also adding an optional username key. Users can require others to know this key before they can send a message through a username.
Creators, small businesses, and organisations will have an option to claim usernames they already use on Instagram or Facebook.
This will allow them to maintain the same name across Meta’s platforms when the username is available.
WhatsApp will introduce usernames gradually over the coming months.
The company will notify users through the app when the feature becomes available in their country.
Reserving a name now does not mean the full username feature is immediately available for messaging.
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