WhatsApp or Meta's official announcements or release notes

WhatsApp to Introduce Usernames, Eliminating Need to Share Phone Numbers

Oct 23, 2024, 03:25 AM

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is introducing several new features to enhance user experience across its platforms. The messaging service announced upcoming support for usernames, allowing users to connect without sharing phone numbers, making phone number sharing a thing of the past. This marks the first time WhatsApp has publicly mentioned usernames since initial reports about the feature last year, although it is still in development. Additionally, WhatsApp is rolling out a built-in contact manager that enables users to add and manage contacts directly within the app, independent of their smartphone's address book. This functionality is now available on WhatsApp Web and the Windows app, with plans to extend support to more devices in the future. The new features aim to remove previous limitations, particularly on linked devices, and provide greater flexibility and privacy to users.