WhatsApp has started rolling out its new username feature, reports WABetaInfo. Some users who reserved their username have started receiving a notification that their username is active, and that they can now use it to send and receive messages to other users without revealing their phone number.

When someone creates a username, WhatsApp will notify people who already have an active chat with that person. WhatsApp has no directory of usernames to browse, and no username discovery suggestions, so people will need to know a WhatsApp user's exact username to send a message.

The feature follows WhatsApp's username reservation rollout that began in late June 2026, allowing users to claim handles ahead of the messaging update. This shift moves the platform away from phone numbers as the sole identifier for communication.

Additional WhatsApp beta updates include a green dot online indicator and a first-party iCloud backup alternative for iPhone, both spotted by WABetaInfo in recent TestFlight builds.