In a major WhatsApp update, the popular messaging platform is set to roll out usernames for accounts next year- a feature that will significantly improve user privacy and brand communication for businesses.
Until now, WhatsApp users have relied on their phone numbers as the primary identifier. This raised privacy concerns since sharing your number exposed personal contact details. With the new WhatsApp username feature, users will soon be able to connect without revealing their phone numbers — a big step forward for digital privacy and secure business communication.
According to reports from Android Police, WhatsApp has started notifying WhatsApp Business users about this upcoming change, along with details on how to prepare for the username integration.
“We’re excited that WhatsApp will soon support one of our most requested features:- the ability to adopt a username. This provides a simple way to protect your privacy by displaying a username instead of your phone number in personal and group chats,” WhatsApp shared in an official statement.
Why This WhatsApp Update Matters for Businesses
For brands using WhatsApp Business, this change will redefine how they connect with customers. Businesses will now be able to create custom usernames aligned with their brand name instead of using phone numbers. This makes it easier for customers to find, message, and trust verified business profiles.
WhatsApp also confirmed that businesses must update their systems by June 2026 to support this change. This includes updating CRMs and connected tools that currently rely on phone numbers.
“Usernames will help customers feel more confident about their privacy and make it easier to reach businesses on WhatsApp,” the company added.
What Marketers Should Know
This move positions WhatsApp closer to other social media platforms like Instagram and Telegram, where usernames are central to identity. It’s a strategic update that aligns with the platform’s growing role in digital marketing, customer engagement, and conversational commerce.
For digital marketers and brands, this means:
- Easier brand discovery through unique usernames
- Improved customer trust and privacy
- Seamless integration for CRM and marketing automation tools
- Stronger brand presence on WhatsApp Business
While WhatsApp hasn’t announced an official launch date, the system update deadline hints at a mid-to-late 2025 release.
Stay tuned to Digistar’s Digital Marketing News section for the latest updates on social media trends, WhatsApp marketing tools, and digital communication strategies that help your brand grow online.
