Overview
- A new Android beta feature lets selected testers reserve a WhatsApp username in advance, with the name held until the system fully launches.
- Early reservations currently appear limited to handles already in use on Facebook or Instagram rather than newly created names.
- Verification occurs via Meta’s Account Center, which links the confirmed handle to the user’s WhatsApp account.
- The phased rollout is planned to expand globally through 2026, beginning with a small test group before wider availability.
- Usernames are positioned as an alternative contact option to phone numbers, with privacy benefits for individuals and clearer branding for businesses.