- WhatsApp username reservations are now open for some
- Check your invitation to book within the application
- You can link your new handle to Facebook and Instagram.
The big WhatsApp username revolution has begun, and although usernames won’t fully take over until later this year, Meta is allowing people to reserve their usernames starting now. Open WhatsApp on your phone and you will see an alert above the conversation list inviting you to reserve your name.
Today I got the alert on my phone (maybe because I’m a very avid WhatsApp user). If you don’t tap the notification before it disappears, you need to head to Settings: on Android, it’s the three dots (top right) and then Settings; on iOS, tap the You icon (bottom right) to access the same menu.
From Settings, select Account > Username > Create username to start selecting your WhatsApp ID. It’s worth remembering that you’re up against three billion other users here, so your first choice could disappear, in which case WhatsApp will ask you to choose something else until you find something unique.
You may have to implement some numbers or special characters to get a username that hasn’t already been used; the same tricks you may have used to get your handles on other platforms (for example, using underscores and periods). There is also a Suggest username You can use this option if you are stuck and WhatsApp will give you some ideas.
You can also link an existing Instagram or Facebook username, which is useful if you have a small business or side business set up on those platforms and want to be consistent across apps. Just follow the Use Instagram username either Use Facebook username links when you see them.
What you need to know
There are a few things to keep in mind when reserving your username. First of all, this won’t hide your phone number from people who already have it on WhatsApp; It only applies to new contacts you add after the username feature goes live, and it looks like that won’t happen for a few months yet.
Second, if you think someone might guess or stumble upon your username, you can add an extra layer of protection. Of Account > Usernametap Contact me by username and you can generate a key code: a potential new contact will need to receive this key and your username in order to connect with you.
If you change your mind (or identity), you can still change your username before the feature goes live: open Account > Username then tap Edit to choose something different. At the moment, it’s unclear how username changes will be handled once the feature goes live later this year.
Fourth, you will waste your time if you try to book something like @zendaya or @edsheeran. WhatsApp says it has banned usernames related to celebrities, politicians and other VIPs, so you won’t be able to use this as an opportunity to impersonate someone famous.
Finally, if you register the same handle that you have on Facebook or Instagram, Meta will ask you to connect your accounts. That makes them a little easier to manage together, but also gives Meta more information about you, your devices, and your activities, which can be used for targeted ads in the future.
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