WhatsApp is rolling out username reservations, a new privacy feature that will allow users to connect without sharing their phone numbers, the messaging platform said in a statement on Monday.

According to the statement, the username reservations commenced on Monday, June 29, ahead of the full launch of the feature later this year, with users to be notified in the app once the option becomes available to them.

According to WhatsApp, the feature is designed to give users greater control over their privacy by allowing them to communicate with new contacts using a unique username instead of their personal phone number.

The platform said there would be no public directory or username suggestions, adding that anyone wishing to contact a user for the first time must know the person’s exact username.

It also introduced an optional “username key”, an additional security feature that requires a first-time contact to enter a unique key before they can send a message, providing another layer of protection against unwanted messages.

“Starting this week, you can reserve a username to use later this year when we launch this feature.

“With over three billion people on WhatsApp, a lot of names overlap, which is why we’re opening reservations early so everyone has the opportunity to select the username that matters to them.

“For most people, choosing a WhatsApp username should be something unique that only people you want to contact you will know,” the company said.

WhatsApp explained that the feature addressed situations where users want to communicate with new acquaintances or participate in group conversations without revealing their phone numbers.

It said creators, small businesses and organisations would also have the option of claiming the same usernames they already use on Instagram or Facebook to maintain a consistent online identity across Meta’s platforms.

The company added that users who preferred not to create a username could use a built-in username generator to suggest available options.

According to WhatsApp, once usernames are fully launched and enabled by users, people or businesses they contact for the first time will no longer see their phone numbers.

It said reserving a username takes only a few seconds through Settings > Account > Username on the latest version of WhatsApp.

The company said the feature would be rolled out gradually over the coming months and users would receive in-app notifications when it becomes available in their respective countries.