Meta is preparing for a significant WhatsApp update that will finally unveil the highly awaited username feature. This will enable communication, calling, and even contact searching with no phone numbers displayed. According to the latest report by WaBetaInfo, the feature has reached its last development stage and is anticipated to be released worldwide in 2026.
This step is one of the most significant privacy-oriented improvements WhatsApp has implemented, and it will be necessary for companies using the WhatsApp API to adopt it soon.
The WhatsApp username feature assigns a unique identifier to every user, similar to handles used on platforms like Instagram or Telegram. This will let users message, call, or video chat without disclosing their personal contact numbers. The upgrade aims to improve privacy when communicating with unfamiliar individuals or businesses. It also creates a safer environment for professional and transactional interactions.
First discovered in Android beta builds, the username function has now reached the final testing phase before its full deployment.
According to WaBetaInfo, all businesses using the WhatsApp API must update their systems to support usernames by June 2026. Meta has rolled out a new Business-Scoped User ID (BSUID), which allows authenticated enterprises to communicate securely with customers without revealing their phone numbers.
The developer documentation was revised to include integration guides, best practices, and encryption protocols for seamless communication. The goal is to give businesses and users a consistent, privacy-centric messaging experience.
WhatsApp engineers have been modifying components of the platform’s core infrastructure to support the new feature. The update maintains the complete end-to-end encryption, assuring no privacy is lost. Meta describes this change as a "privacy-first modernization" that aims to balance anonymity, security, and usability.
The upgrade is expected to roll out in stages, starting in 2026, with businesses leading the adoption before it expands to all users. Meta continues to position the application as a secure and privacy-driven way of messaging through the upcoming WhatsApp username reservation system.