I just reserved my WhatsApp username here are 5 important things you need to know about the process

Date:
Tue, 30 Jun 2026 11:55:47 +0000

Description:
Reservations are already opening up for WhatsApp usernames, and here's what you need to bear in mind.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter WhatsApp username reservations are now open for some Check inside the app for your reservation invite You
can link your new handle to Facebook and Instagram The big WhatsApp username revolution has started and while usernames won't fully take over until later this year, Meta is letting people reserve their handles starting from now. Open up WhatsApp on your phone, and you'll see an alert above the
conversation list inviting you to reserve your name.

Earlier today I got the alert on my phone (maybe because I'm such an enthusiastic WhatsApp user). If you miss tapping the notification before it disappears, you need to head to Settings: On Android, it's the three dots
(top right) then Settings; on iOS, tap the You icon (bottom right) to get to the same menu.

From Settings, select Account > Username > Create username to start selecting your WhatsApp handle. It's worth remembering you're up against three billion other users here, so your first choice might be gone in which case WhatsApp will ask you to pick something else until you land on something unique.
Latest Videos From Watch full video here: (Image credit: Meta) You may have
to deploy some numbers or special characters to get a username that hasn't already been taken the same tricks you may well have used to get your
handles on other platforms (for example, using underscores and periods). There's also a Suggest username option here you can use if you're stuck, and WhatsApp will come up with a few ideas for you. You can also link an existing username from Instagram or Facebook, which is helpful if you've got a small business or side hustle set up on those platforms and want to be consistent
in every app. Just follow the Use Instagram username or Use Facebook username links when you see them. You may like WhatsApp rolls out username
reservations here's how to claim yours WhatsApps latest beta lets you set up a username, so you dont have to share your phone number Spotify may soon
allow users to change usernames and add profile bios What you need to know (Image credit: Meta) There are a few things to bear in mind when reserving your username. Firstly, this won't hide your phone number from people who already have it on WhatsApp it only applies to new contacts you add after
the username feature goes live, and it seems as though that won't happen for
a few months yet.

Second, if you think that someone might guess or otherwise stumble across
your username, you can add an extra layer of protection. From Account > Username , tap Contact me by username and you can generate a key code a prospective new contact will then need to be told both this key and your username in order to connect with you. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. (Image credit: Meta) If you have a change of heart (or identity) then you can still change your username before the
feature goes live: open up Account > Username then tap Edit to pick something different. At the moment, it's not clear how username changes will be handled once the feature goes live later this year.

Fourth, you'll be wasting your time if you try and reserve something like @zendaya or @edsheeran. WhatsApp says it's fenced off usernames that relate
to celebrities, politicians, and other VIPs, so you're not going to be able
to use this as an opportunity to impersonate someone famous.

Finally, if you do register the same handle as you've got on Facebook or Instagram, Meta will ask you to connect your accounts. That makes them a little easier to manage together, but it also gives Meta more information about you, your devices, and your activities which may be used for targeted ads in the future. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Today's best phone deals Contract Deals Sim Free gift Apple iPhone 17 24 months Unlimited mins Unlimited texts 10GB data 19 upfront 34.99 /mth View at Mobiles.co.uk See all prices Samsung Galaxy S26 36 months Unlimited mins Unlimited texts 30GB data 30 upfront 37.26 /mth View at EE See all prices Google Pixel 10 36 months Unlimited mins Unlimited texts Unlimited data 30 upfront 36.81 /mth View at O2 Mobiles See all prices We check over 250
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/websites-apps/i-just-reserved-my-whatsapp- username-here-are-5-important-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-process


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