The race is on No more numbers on WhatsApp - how to secure your desired nickname
WhatsApp is currently testing a new feature that allows you to save a name of your choice for the future. However, it is still uncertain exactly when the function will be available in Europe.
No time? blue News summarizes for you
- WhatsApp is testing a new feature that allows users to use a username instead of a phone number to manage their identity for the first time.
- The integration of Instagram and Facebook handles demonstrates Meta's goal of building a cross-platform digital identity and connecting its services more closely.
- The username system is to be introduced globally by 2026 at the latest, but is under critical scrutiny due to data protection and possible user disadvantages.
Until now, anyone chatting on WhatsApp has always been tied to their own phone number in the background. This is set to change in the future. The messenger is currently testing a function that allows users to save an individual user name, without the need for a phone number. This opens WhatsApp up to a new identity model that goes beyond traditional chat.
The so-called "username reservation" should make it possible to claim the desired name even before the official launch. According to the WABetaInfo portal, the aim is to ensure fair and secure allocation.
Integration into the meta-ecosystem
What is remarkable is not so much the technical innovation as the strategic direction. WhatsApp will apparently allow existing Instagram or Facebook names to be linked in future. Users can adopt their meta handle and their identity will be verified via the central meta account.
WhatsApp is thus following the vision of its parent company Meta to establish a uniform digital identity across all platforms. The company has been working on seamlessly connecting its services for some time now - from login to payment function.
The introduction of usernames is therefore likely to be a further step towards a consistent brand and user identity in the Meta universe.
Instagram users are preferred
At first glance, the reservation process seems simple. Users simply enter their preferred name and confirm it via their meta account. To do this, go to the profile view and select the menu item "Reserve username". This currently only works in beta and only those who are also active on Facebook or Instagram will benefit.
This prioritization raises questions about equal opportunities and data protection. Critics could see this as subtle pressure to become more closely tied to Meta's platforms. At the same time, the company promises to prevent abuse through identity verification. A key aspect in view of the growing number of cases of fraud in messenger services.
How to reserve your name when the function is available
- Users enter the same name as on Facebook or Instagram.
- The identity is verified via the meta account to prevent misuse.
- The reserved name remains exclusively protected until the feature officially launches.
Launch before 2026?
Internal information suggests that the complete username system will be rolled out worldwide before the 2026 meta compliance deadline. The introduction will take place in stages. First in the Android beta, later for broader user groups.
Meta should not only pay attention to technological stability, but also to legal compliance with European data protection regulations. This is because the linking of identities across multiple platforms is traditionally subject to particular scrutiny in the EU.
Whether your own name will mean more than just an abbreviation in the chat history in future remains to be seen. One thing is certain: whoever reserves it first lays the foundation for their future digital business card.
