WhatsApp may soon let you message people without sharing your phone number 

If you’ve used WhatsApp long enough, you know one thing for certain that, your phone number is the entry point. Every chat, every group, every call begins with a number. But that might be about to change. According to a fresh report from WaBetaInfo, WhatsApp is now working on a new privacy feature that could significantly alter the way users interact on the platform. In development right now is the ability to set unique usernames, a move that echoes what’s already common on Telegram and Instagram.

This might change the way we use WhatsApp

The idea is simple that instead of exposing your phone number to strangers or new contacts, you’ll soon be able to communicate using a username. This change is especially helpful for those who frequently join group chats or receive messages from unknown numbers but wish to maintain privacy. Once rolled out, this feature could provide an extra layer of anonymity, particularly in large communities or when dealing with unfamiliar contacts.

There are some rules in place. Your username must include at least one letter and cannot begin with “www”. The acceptable character set will include lowercase letters, numbers, underscores, and periods. Alongside this, WhatsApp is also developing a username availability checker, expected to debut first on WhatsApp Web, so users can see if their preferred handle is up for grabs. And yes, changing your username will notify your contacts, adding a layer of accountability to the system.

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As of now, there’s no confirmed launch date, but testing appears to be in its final stages. The exact functionality, such as whether users can completely hide their phone numbers from contacts, is still unclear. For new chats, however, usernames will likely take centre stage.

Altogether, this update underscores WhatsApp’s push to give users more control over their privacy.