WhatsApp Moves Beyond Phone Numbers—Users Can Now Hide Identity

WhatsApp opened username reservations on June 29, 2026, letting users initiate contact without revealing their phone number. This breaks from 16 years of phone-based identity. Phone numbers stay as backend credentials, but what you share shifts entirely. The feature rolls out fully later in 2026, enabling private communication in professional and sensitive contexts. The move mirrors competitors like Telegram and Signal while leaving EU interoperability rules unresolved.