WhatsApp usernames functionality is now rolling on iOS and Android as per a new report. The feature allows users to reserve and use a specific username for their profile so they do not have to share their phone number with someone while sharing their contact. Here’s how the feature works.
WABetaInfo reports that the latest version of WhatsApp on iOS and Android allows a very limited set of users to choose a username for their profile. WhatsApp usernames aren’t available to everyone as of now as the feature tracker says it is being made available gradually.
“To check if you are part of this initial rollout, you need to open your profile settings. Here, users who have access will notice a dedicated option for usernames,” read the report. If the option is available, users can tap on it to begin creating their username. Once a desired username is chosen, it is then linked to the account. Users can then share this username with others instead of their phone number.
Over the next few weeks, WhatsApp plans to gradually expand access for usernames to more users.
WhatsApp Usernames: What is Allowed and What Isn’t
The feature tracker says that “WhatsApp has defined a clear set of rules when users want to choose a username.” Usernames cannot start with “www.” as this could cause users to believe they are interacting with an official website. Usernames also cannot end with a domain (like .com or .net).
As for what’s allowed, usernames must always include at least one letter. Additionally, only certain characters are allowed, such as lowercase letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), periods, and underscores. Users must use between 3-35 characters for their username.
Furthermore, there’s another requirement for setting WhatsApp usernames, where the username must be available across Meta platforms. In other words, if your desired username is available on WhatsApp but not on Instagram and Facebook, then you cannot link it to your account.
“If the desired username has already been taken on Instagram and Facebook, users will need to confirm that they are the rightful owner of that username on those platforms before using it on WhatsApp.” To complete this verification, users must link their accounts through Accounts Centre.
Further, WABetaInfo says that choosing the same username used on Instagram or Facebook would reveal to others the connection between their WhatsApp account and their accounts on these platforms. This means that anyone who can contact you on Instagram will be able to connect with you on WhatsApp, too.
After choosing a username, users can also set up an optional username key. The key is required when someone contacts you for the first time. It ensures that only people who know both the username and the key can reach out. If the user does not have both your username and username key, then they can’t contact you.
Author: Abhishek Malhotra
Source: The Mobile Indian
Reviewed By: Editorial Team
