WhatsApp is getting usernames so you can finally stop sharing your phone number

WhatsApp is finally getting a feature that's so basic one has to wonder why it wasn't there in the first place: usernames.

That's right, the Meta-owned app still doesn't let you log in with a username and password, instead requiring you to punch in your phone number. But this appears to be changing.

According to WABetaInfo, which tracks WhatsApp beta features, a new WhatsApp beta (version 25.17.10.70), the company is currently working on adding usernames, though the feature isn't yet available for testing.

The way it'll work is as follows: WhatsApp users will get the option to create a unique username consisting of letters and numbers, provided it doesn't use special characters (besides periods and underscores). For security reasons, usernames won't be allowed to start with "www." or end with a domain such as ".com" to prevent folks to trick people into pretending they represent a website. And, of course, usernames that are already taken will not be available.

For other users, username changes will be visible. For example, when someone you're chatting with updates their username, you'll see a system message in the chat notifying you of the change.

Perhaps most importantly, this will enable you to hide your phone number from other users you're interacting with on the platform, as you'll have the option to choose your username show instead.

All of this is currently under development and could change before the feature is actually released, though we can probably expect that to happen soon.