WhatsApp is preparing to make a major change to the way we communicate: soon, It will no longer be necessary to share your phone number to talk to someoneThe application is working on a username system that will allow users to start chats without exposing their personal mobile phone, a new feature that fundamentally changes the relationship between privacy, digital identity, and instant messaging.
This move comes at a time when more and more users, in Spain and throughout Europe, They are looking for ways to communicate without leaving so much personal information behind.Being able to write to a stranger, a business, or a professional contact without giving out your phone number opens the door to more discreet interactions, but it also raises new risks of impersonation and scams that should be kept in mind.
Goodbye to the phone number as an access key
From its inception, the foundation of WhatsApp has always been the same: an account directly linked to a mobile numberThis association has functioned as a simple unique identifier, but it required sharing highly sensitive data in any context, from school parent groups to second-hand purchases or communications with clients.
According to leaks from specialized sources like WABetaInfo, Meta's platform is in the final stages of development. unique usernamesThis feature will allow users to locate and contact people and businesses without needing to see or share their phone number. Users will still need a mobile phone number to register their account, but to contact others, they will only need that number.
In recent beta versions of the app, such as iOS version 26.1.10.70, clear references to this new feature have already been seen: The user will be able to decide what is shown and what is hidden from their profilelimiting the visibility of the number to trusted contacts while using the username as a public face.
This represents a historic change because, in practice, Identity on WhatsApp will no longer depend exclusively on the phoneThis is similar to what already happens in services like Telegram, social networks, or forum platforms, where the alias carries much more weight than the direct contact information.
More privacy in everyday life, also in Spain
In everyday use, the impact can be quite noticeable, especially in urban and professional contexts prevalent in Spain, such as neighborhood groups, educational communities, or private sales. For cases like the users in Valencia mentioned in local media, Talking to someone without giving out your number will no longer be the exception, but will become the standard option..
Very common situations, such as temporarily joining a WhatsApp group for a course, organizing an event with strangers, or opening a communication channel with new clients, will be possible. just sharing a usernameThis way, if we want to cut off contact later, we can simply block or change our identifier, without having to carry the number around in other people's contact lists for years.
Digital security experts like Miguel Ortega, director of processes and security at cdmon, believe that The measure is a clear step forward in terms of privacy.Being able to share an alias instead of a phone number reduces the direct exposure of data that, nowadays, is used for almost everything: online banking, identification in public services, account recovery and a long etcetera.
For many users, this change will mean a greater sense of control over who can store and reuse your contact informationEspecially in environments where there is no complete trust relationship: buy-and-sell ads, occasional exchanges of services, or very infrequent professional contacts.
New risks: impersonation, fake accounts and scams
However, increased privacy does not mean the problems will disappear. In fact, experts warn that this change This opens the door to a type of threat that is very well known in other services: identity theft. using usernames similar to real ones.
Just like with web domains, email addresses, or aliases on other networks, Cybercriminals may try to register names that are almost identical to those of companies, media outlets, or public figures. to deceive users. Simply changing a letter or adding a period makes the name appear legitimate at first glance.
Ortega points out that The risk of scams and phishing will increase if users don't get into the habit of carefully checking who they are writing to.Familiarity with the WhatsApp environment can work against you: many people tend to trust what they receive through the app more than an email, and that is precisely what an attacker can exploit.
Within the Meta ecosystem, the company is likely to Try to rely on verification and brand protection systems similar to those already in use on Facebook or InstagramAlthough there are no definitive confirmations, it is assumed that large companies and brands with identity protection programs could see some of those mechanisms transferred to WhatsApp, to prevent third parties from appropriating sensitive names such as banks or multinationals.
Direct impact on companies, SMEs and professionals
The shift towards usernames doesn't just affect the average user. For businesses, freelancers, and SMEs, especially in markets as WhatsApp-intensive as Spain, The alias will become a central part of the public identityWhat is today a simple contact number could be transformed into a more recognizable and easier-to-remember brand.
The problem is that, as has already happened on other platforms, Finding the perfect username won't be so easy.Many obvious aliases may already be registered on Instagram or Facebook, and the integration with the Meta Account Center means that, to use an identifier on WhatsApp, it must be globally available within the ecosystem.
Experts recommend that companies opt for a coherent digital identity strategyChoose a name that's as close as possible to the one you already use on other networks, even if it's not identical, and communicate it clearly on your official channels (website, social media profiles, newsletters, business cards, etc.). This reduces confusion and makes it harder for imposters.
On the legal front, it will continue to carry weight. trademark law for the most sensitive namesMeta could establish internal processes to remove an alias that has been misused and reassign it to the legitimate owner, something that in practice would be reserved for highly recognizable or registered brands, such as large banks, operators, or consumer goods companies.
Brand verification and protection: solutions, but not miracles
Along with these measures, everything points to WhatsApp It will eventually offer payment verification methodsFollowing in the footsteps of other services where the famous blue checkmark or equivalent has become a tool for both reputation and business.
These solutions can help make it easier to identify the true owner of an account, especially when it comes to businesses, media outlets, or public figures. However, experts remind us that Paying for a verification badge doesn't prevent accounts from continuing to appear that try to impersonate you.It simply makes it more obvious which profile is the official one.
In this context, SMEs and professionals will need to combine several layers of protection: early username registration As soon as the feature is available, transparent communication of that alias in all its materials and constant vigilance against possible imitations that generate confusion among its customers.
For the end user, the advice is quite straightforward: Before entrusting sensitive data or making payments through WhatsApp, it's advisable to verify through other channels that the contact is legitimate.Searching for the official website, checking verified social media accounts, or even calling the corporate phone number can prevent more than one unpleasant surprise.
How will usernames work on WhatsApp?
Beyond the general idea, WhatsApp is defining fairly strict rules for the use of usernames be orderly and minimize abusesAccording to the leaked evidence, these aliases must be between 3 and 35 characters long and may include lowercase letters (az), numbers, periods, and underscores.
It will not be possible to register an identifier made up only of numbers or symbols; There will always have to be at least one letterIn addition, to nip some phishing attempts in the bud, names that begin with "www." or end with common domain extensions such as ".com" or ".net" will be blocked.
The choice of alias will also be conditioned by the Meta Account CenterThe tool that consolidates user identities across Facebook, Instagram, and now WhatsApp. To claim a username already used on another platform within the group, you'll need to prove you're the rightful owner by linking the accounts.
This has an important implication: Using the same username on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook will make the connection between our different online identities more visible.If someone wants to keep their personal life, professional activity, and public persona separate, they will have to carefully consider which alias they use for each service.
The access key: an extra filter against spam
The rollout of profiles searchable by username raises an obvious question: what about spam and unwanted messages? To address this concern, WhatsApp has designed an additional feature: a four-digit access code or PIN that can be optionally activated.
This key acts as a second barrier. If we activate it, Knowing our username will not be enough to be able to write to usAnyone wishing to make contact will also need to know this four-digit code. It's a kind of filter against indiscriminate contact, designed for those seeking maximum discretion.
The examples that have emerged show that without that key, anyone who knows the alias can start a conversation. However, if we configure the PIN, Only users to whom we have provided both the username and the code will have access to the chatThis drastically reduces the risk of harassment, mass spam, or aggressive marketing campaigns.
All of this is in addition to the end-to-end encryption that already characterizes WhatsApp: The company maintains that not even she can read the content of the messagesThe access key does not change that technical basis, but adds a layer of control over who can initiate a conversation with us.
A long and highly controlled development
Implementing this transformation in an application used by more than 2.000 billion people is no small change. According to sources close to the development, WhatsApp has spent years adapting its internal code to make usernames fit without breaking existing functions.
This evolution has been particularly delicate because the original architecture was designed to revolve entirely around the phone number. Rebuilding that foundation requires reviewing every aspect of the system: from how accounts are authenticated to synchronization between devices and integration with the web version and desktop applications.
Therefore, the company has opted for a very cautious approach: The tests are being carried out gradually in the beta versions Android, iOS, Windows and webwith small groups of users who gradually receive the option to create and manage their alias. Each step is closely monitored to detect performance issues, security problems, or conflicts with other features such as groups, communities, or broadcast lists.
The goal is that, when the feature reaches the general public, the experience is stable and secure enough to avoid any surprises. A massive error in such a sensitive function could have serious consequences, both for user trust and for Meta's regulatory reputation in Europe, where scrutiny of privacy is particularly intense.
When will you be able to set your username?
For now, the arrival of usernames to the stable version of WhatsApp It does not have a fixed date.However, indications suggest that the rollout will begin with a very limited group of accounts in the coming months. The release will be phased in, by user groups and regions, to allow for adjustments to the system as it progresses.
If you want to know if you're part of the first waves of testing, you'll need to check your profile settings menu within the app from time to time. When the feature is active for your account, you'll see a new option specifically for choosing and managing your username..
Tapping on that section suggests the app will display a relatively simple wizard: enter the desired alias, automatically check for availability, and, if necessary, receive alternative suggestions if the name is already taken. From there, you can decide whether to make it widely visible or reserve it for a more controlled environment.
During this initial phase, WhatsApp will monitor server performance, the volume of registration attempts, and user behavior. to refine the automated filters and measures against abuse attempts. It is possible that, as we go along, details such as the allowed length, valid characters, or mechanisms for reporting suspicious names will be adjusted.
This entire process fits with a broader shift in trends in digital services: Online identity is gradually moving away from phone numbers and increasingly relying on centrally managed aliases.With the introduction of usernames, WhatsApp joins this model, offering more leeway to protect privacy, but also requiring users, companies, and administrations to pay extra attention when monitoring fraud, impersonation, and misuse of identity.
