WhatsApp Usernames Are Coming: What It Means for Your Business (2026)
WhatsApp is rolling out usernames so people can message you without knowing your phone number. Here's what we know, how it works, and what it means for service businesses.
WhatsApp is finally adding usernames.
Instead of sharing your phone number with every customer, you'll be able to share a username like @yourbusiness. People can search for it and message you directly. No phone number required.
This is a big deal for businesses. Here's what we know so far.
What Are WhatsApp Usernames?
Right now, to message someone on WhatsApp, you need their phone number. That's been true since the app launched in 2009.
Usernames change that.
With the new feature, you can:
- Create a unique username for your account (like
@miamihairsalon) - Share that username instead of your phone number
- Let customers find you by searching your username in WhatsApp
- Keep your phone number private from people who message you
Think of it like Instagram handles, but for WhatsApp.
How It Works
Based on what's been tested in beta versions, here's the flow:
Setting Up Your Username
- Go to WhatsApp Settings
- Look for "Username" option (rolling out gradually)
- Choose your unique username
- Save it
Your username appears in your profile and can be shared publicly.
Starting a Conversation
When someone wants to message you:
- They open WhatsApp and go to the search bar
- They type your username (e.g.,
@yourbusiness) - They tap to start a conversation
- Your username shows as the chat title (not your phone number)
If you don't have each other's numbers saved, your phone number stays hidden. They just see your username.
Privacy Protection
This is the key part: your phone number remains private unless both parties have each other saved in their contacts.
For businesses, this means:
- New customers can message you without you sharing personal contact info
- You can advertise your username publicly (on Instagram, flyers, your website)
- Your actual phone number stays protected
What About Business Accounts?
WhatsApp hasn't released full details for business accounts yet, but here's what we know:
Username reservation is coming first. Businesses may be able to claim their preferred username before the feature fully launches. If you have a recognizable brand name, you'll want to reserve it early.
It works alongside the WhatsApp Business API. If you're using the API (through platforms like Replypop, WATI, or others), usernames should work with your existing setup. The username becomes another way for customers to find and message you. (If you're curious about API costs, see our WhatsApp API pricing breakdown.)
Channels already support usernames. If you've created a WhatsApp Channel (the broadcast feature), you can already set a username for it. Personal and business chat usernames are the next step.
Why This Matters for Service Businesses
If you run a salon, spa, clinic, or any service business, usernames solve a real problem.
The Current Situation
Right now, to let customers message you on WhatsApp, you either:
- Share your personal number (mixing business and personal life)
- Get a separate business line (extra cost, extra device)
- Use WhatsApp Business API (requires setup through a provider)
Many small businesses just use their personal number. Which means customers have your personal phone number forever.
With Usernames
You can:
- Print
@yourbusinesson your business cards - Add it to your Instagram bio
- Put it on your website
- Share it in ads
Customers message you through that username. Your actual phone number stays private. If you ever change numbers, your username stays the same.
And here's the key part: that username still connects to the same WhatsApp Business account. If you've connected your WhatsApp to Replypop, messages from your new username arrive in the same inbox where your AI handles lead conversations. Nothing changes on the backend. You just get a cleaner way for customers to find you.
What to Do Now
The feature is still rolling out, but here's how to prepare:
1. Decide on Your Username
Think about what username you want. Keep it:
- Short and memorable (easier to share)
- Related to your business name (so customers recognize it)
- Easy to spell (avoid numbers and special characters if possible)
Good examples:
@mikisnailstudio@downtownbarbershop@relaxspa_miami
2. Watch for the Feature
Check your WhatsApp settings periodically. The username option is rolling out to different users at different times. When you see it, claim your preferred username quickly. Popular names will go fast.
3. Update Your Marketing Materials
Once you have your username, update:
- Your website contact section
- Your Instagram/Facebook bio
- Your Google Business profile
- Business cards and flyers
- Any "Message us on WhatsApp" links
4. Connect Your WhatsApp to Replypop Now
This is important: set up your WhatsApp Business integration before usernames launch.
When you connect your WhatsApp to Replypop:
- All messages (whether from phone number or username) arrive in one inbox
- Your AI automatically handles lead conversations
- Customer profiles build automatically from every interaction
- You're ready the moment usernames go live
Don't wait until usernames launch to figure out your WhatsApp setup. Get connected now, so when you claim @yourbusiness, it's already linked to your lead-handling flow.
Someone messages your username, your AI responds, and the lead gets handled properly. The customer never needed to know your phone number. That's the future, and it's coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will usernames be available?
WhatsApp is testing the feature in beta now (January 2026). There's no confirmed public launch date, but it's expected soon. Some users already have access to username reservation.
Will usernames replace phone numbers?
No. Phone numbers remain the primary way WhatsApp accounts work. Usernames are an additional option for sharing and discovery. You still need a phone number to create a WhatsApp account.
Can I change my username later?
Based on how similar features work on other platforms, you'll likely be able to change it. But your old username might become available for others to claim. Best to pick one you'll stick with.
What if someone takes the username I want?
First come, first served. If @yourbrandname is taken, you might need to add a location (@yourbrandname_miami) or variation. This is why claiming early matters.
Do usernames work with WhatsApp Business API?
Yes. The feature is designed to work with both the regular WhatsApp app and business accounts. If you're using the API through a platform like Replypop, usernames integrate with your existing setup. Messages arrive in the same inbox regardless of whether customers used your phone number or username to reach you.
Is this the same as WhatsApp Channels?
No. Channels are one-way broadcast feeds (like a newsletter). Usernames are for regular two-way conversations. Channels already support usernames for discovery; this extends that to regular chats.
The Bigger Picture
WhatsApp usernames are part of a broader privacy push. Meta is giving users more control over who has their phone number and how they're discovered.
For businesses, this is mostly good news:
- Easier for customers to find you
- Less friction in starting conversations
- Your personal number stays personal
- More professional appearance (a username looks more business-like than a phone number)
The main risk is username squatting. If you have a recognizable brand, someone else might try to claim your name. Watch for the feature and reserve your username as soon as it's available.
Get Ready Now
WhatsApp usernames are coming. Here's what to do:
- Pick your ideal username now (write it down before someone else claims it)
- Connect your WhatsApp to Replypop today (don't wait for usernames to launch)
- Watch for the username feature in your WhatsApp settings
- Reserve your username the moment it's available
- Update your marketing materials with your new username
The businesses that win will be the ones already set up when usernames go live. Your AI will be trained, your inbox will be ready, and your customers will find you at @yourbusiness instead of a random phone number.
Get your WhatsApp connected now. When usernames launch, you'll be ready. Customers message your username, your AI handles the conversation, and your team gets qualified leads instead of raw chats.
Questions or feedback? Reach out anytime