WhatsApp is testing a new privacy feature that could change how users connect on the platform. The messaging giant has introduced username functionality in its latest Android beta version 2.25.28.12, allowing users to communicate without revealing their phone numbers.
This development marks a major step toward improving user privacy, as the feature hides phone numbers from people who are not in one’s contact list. It also aligns WhatsApp more closely with rivals like Telegram and Signal, which already support similar privacy options.
Although users will still need to register with a phone number when setting up their accounts, the username system introduces additional privacy and anti-spam protections. The feature is currently in testing and is expected to reach the stable version of the app before the end of 2025.
The move has sparked mixed reactions among WhatsApp users and privacy enthusiasts online. Some see it as a progressive improvement, while others fear it could complicate the app’s simplicity and purpose.
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One user, @EdenJohnson, reacted on X, saying, “Someone else should just create another app for those who prefer connecting through phone numbers. We don’t have to follow WhatsApp’s new username approach.”
However, @titantdiddy criticized the update, calling it “a retrogressive development” and arguing that WhatsApp should focus on more essential system upgrades instead.
Another user, @_iampresitige, expressed cautious optimism, stating, “If usernames only allow people already in my contacts to find me, that’s fine. But if anyone can add me just by knowing my username, that could compromise privacy.”
As WhatsApp continues refining the feature, questions remain about how it will affect security, spam prevention, and user experience. Still, with over two billion users worldwide, the introduction of usernames could mark one of the platform’s most transformative updates since its launch.
