3 min read
WhatsApp is preparing one of the most significant changes in its history as Meta begins testing a username system that allows users to reserve the same handle they use on Instagram or Facebook. This upgrade moves WhatsApp away from its long-standing dependence on phone numbers and shifts the platform toward a unified identity model across all Meta apps. According to developer build analyses and reports from multiple tech outlets, the feature has already started appearing in late 2025 beta versions.
The upcoming username system will connect directly with Meta’s Accounts Center, the existing hub that manages login credentials, cross-app messaging settings and linked profiles. Early reports indicate that users will be able to reserve their Instagram or Facebook handle within WhatsApp and secure it for cross-platform use, as long as the username is verified through Accounts Center. This makes WhatsApp discoverable through usernames while allowing people to avoid giving out their phone numbers, which has long been a privacy concern.
Industry sources note that WhatsApp is also testing a username lookup tool. This will allow users to search for contacts using usernames instead of phone numbers and identify unknown contacts more easily. Leaked documentation suggests usernames will follow specific rules, such as a length between three and thirty characters and support for lowercase letters, numbers, underscores and periods. Domain-like names and formats resembling web links appear to be restricted, according to information from German-language reporting as well.
The rollout of the username feature is expected to continue into 2026. Several reports indicate that initial reservations may be prioritized for users who maintain established handles on Instagram and Facebook. Business accounts may also receive the feature earlier, as consistent usernames across platforms strongly benefit branding, customer communication and public visibility. Meta has already indicated that cross-platform identity is a strategic priority, aligning WhatsApp’s roadmap with broader efforts to create a seamless ecosystem across its core apps.
User benefits are clear. A username system reduces reliance on sharing personal phone numbers, improving privacy and safety. It also strengthens identity consistency, especially for creators, entrepreneurs and public figures who rely on recognizable branding across multiple platforms.
However, the increased linking of identities across Meta platforms raises concerns among privacy advocates. Integrating WhatsApp usernames with Instagram and Facebook profiles increases data connections between platforms. Users who prefer separating their messaging identity from their social media presence may need to revise account settings once the feature goes live. There is also concern that early access or username competition may limit availability of desirable handles.
For users who rely on their current Instagram and Facebook handles for branding or professional visibility, it is advisable to maintain unified usernames across those platforms now. Once WhatsApp begins allowing reservations globally, securing the preferred handle early will be important.
As Meta pushes toward a single identity model across its ecosystem, WhatsApp usernames will likely serve as the foundation for deeper cross-platform integration in the coming years.
