WhatsApp begins reservations for usernames

WhatsApp

Exchanging information to chat on WhatsApp will soon be as easy as giving someone your username. The Meta-owned messaging app plans to roll out usernames gradually in the coming months. In the meantime, you can reserve the username of your choice through your account or profile settings in the mobile app. It isn't a compulsory feature, so you don't have to set it up if you don't think you need it.

Names will be limited to 35 characters, and there will be restrictions, including using the names of high-profile officials and celebrities. Their names will not be made available to anyone else. So, we're guessing similarly named "ordinary people" will need to come up with unique usernames.

WhatsApp will inform users once their username is activated. The company is also giving creators, small businesses, and organizations the option to claim the username they use on Instagram and Facebook. However, you will need to link your WhatsApp username to your existing accounts on Meta's Accounts Centre.

To ensure you control who gets to message you on the platform, WhatsApp introduced a username key feature. It will require users who will contact you for the first time to supply both your username and the key. You can learn more about this feature here.

VIA