WhatsApp Usernames Rollout: WhatsApp is slowly rolling out a new feature being dubbed 'usernames'. What this new feature does is that it assigns a username to a person on WhatsApp, which is identical to something that people do on social media platforms like Instagram or X (Twitter). This feature, WhatsApp claims, will let users connect with each other across the platform without the need for having one's phone number.
This feature has been in the making for a while, and now people can finally reserve their unique username before the feature is finally out in public. But it comes with its own privacy concerns that imminent personalities and people on the internet are talking about. But before we get into that, let's take a look at what this feature really is and what it brings.
What Are Usernames?
WhatsApp is undoubtedly the most used messaging app globally, and it is used almost daily by billions of users, and so far, to connect with a person on WhatsApp, you needed to have their phone numbers, but this is changing now. The Meta-owned platform is of the view that people don't usually want to share their personal phone numbers with just anyone just to get in touch with them over the app for messaging; this could be anyone, like someone offering device installation services or even a new colleague for privacy concerns.
With this new feature the need to share your personal mobile numbers has been eradicated. Now you will just be able to give your username and username key to someone, and they can contact you on the said platform. WhatsApp claims that there is no storage directory where these usernames can be browsed, and there will be no suggestions that will come up to other users. For someone to contact a person, users will have to know the exact username before getting into contact for the first time.
What Is A Username Key, And How Do You Get Your Username?
Now, what exactly is a username key? This is important to know before you hop on to get your own username. This username key adds acts as an extra layer of protection, the company claims. When this key is activated, any person who wants to get into contact with someone would have to put in this four-digit key/code to get into contact or send messages to the receiver.
How To Get Your WhatsApp Username?
Here's how you can reserve your username; just follow these steps.
-If not updated yet, update your WhatsApp to the latest version on Android or iOS and then
-Head to settings and open the account page, then
-Tap on Username, then
-Choose a username of your choice.
WhatsApp has laid down a few rules for that, which are that it can be up to 35 characters long and can also be updated, changed or even removed later.
WhatsApp is pushing people to reserve their username early on so that they can get their desired name right away before the feature is finally rolled out completely. Now the app says it has almost more than three billion people on its platform, and the chances of names overlapping can be staggeringly high, and this is the sole reason why reservations have been opened up early on.
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One thing to note here is that usernames of influential and well-known public figures will be reserved in advance to curb the misuse of such usernames and prevent fraud by impersonation.
Now after you have set your username, you will get the option to set your username key, and it will be generated automatically as a four-digit numeric code which can be updated later as well. This feature is gradually rolling out globally and will be available to all over the coming months.