After engaged on the choice for a while, WhatsApp is lastly set to provide customers the choice to create a username within the app, versus utilizing your telephone quantity as your key identifier.
Which is usually a safety subject, as you are principally presenting your telephone ID to anybody you join with within the app. Usernames add one other layer of separation between your on-line and IRL identities, which may be significantly precious when coping with companies, or folks whom you don’t know within the app.
As reported by Android Police, WhatsApp has begun informing enterprise customers of the approaching change, with an official communication outlining the steps required to organize for its username replace.
As defined by WhatsApp:
“We are excited that WhatsApp will quickly help one in all our most requested options – the power to undertake a username. This has sturdy advantages for folks and companies alike: usernames supply folks a easy option to additional defend their privateness by displaying their username somewhat than their telephone quantity when messaging with others in 1:1 conversations and in teams.”
WhatsApp says that the choice so as to add a username to your account can be rolled out subsequent yr, offering extra choices to handle the way you share your contact data.
“For companies, usernames will permit you to simply construct your model presence on WhatsApp based mostly in your identify somewhat than your telephone quantity, making it simpler for purchasers to attach with you.
Usernames will make it simpler for folks to message your corporation and provides them confidence about their privateness – two optimistic modifications to the enterprise messaging expertise on WhatsApp.”
So like different social platforms, you’ll have the ability to create a novel model identification within the app, which may very well be extra aligned with how folks need to join.
WhatsApp says that with a view to facilitate this replace, companies might want to replace their data earlier than June 2026, in preparation for the change.
“With a purpose to course of messages from clients who’ve adopted usernames, companies might want to put together your programs and workflows to include this new identifier, known as a business-scoped person ID in our technical paperwork. This new identifier can be out there on present and new API variations as a brand new webhook area. Developer docs can be found right here.”
WhatsApp says that companies will even have to replace any related programs that depend on telephone numbers (together with CRMs), to combine these new identifiers.
It may very well be a useful change, and a useful choice, at least, to supply extra safety and luxury in WhatsApp exchanges outdoors of the folks that you realize in actual life.
WhatsApp hasn’t supplied an official date for this to be applied, however the deadline of June 2026 for these system updates would recommend that it’s coming within the second half of subsequent yr.
