WhatsApp now allows businesses on the WhatsApp Business Platform to reserve a unique username — a short handle customers can use to find and message you without needing your phone number.
⚠️ Note: Username reservations are open now, but the feature is rolling out gradually. For Europe, they will come into effect from September 2026 onwards.
Reserving your username
API businesses have early access to reserve usernames ahead of the public rollout. We recommend doing this as soon as possible — handles are first-come, first-served.
Go to WhatsApp Manager, navigate to Phone Numbers, select your number and open the Username section and press Create.
Enter your preferred username and press Confirm.
💡 Tip: You are prioritised if your chosen username matches your WhatsApp Display Name, Meta Verified Name, or your Facebook or Instagram Business handle. If you have multiple phone numbers, each one requires a different username.
Username rules
3 to 35 characters
Lowercase letters, numbers, periods and underscores only
Must contain at least one letter
Cannot begin with "www." or end with ".com", ".net" etc.
Must be unique across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook — if a handle is already taken on either platform, it cannot be used on WhatsApp
Changing your username
To change your username, you simply follow the same process as you did to create the username.
Go to WhatsApp Manager → Phone Numbers → Username
Select the phone number whose username you want to change
Enter a new username and confirm
Note: After changing your username, the old one is held for 60 days. During this time, only you can reclaim it. After 60 days it becomes available to others.
Deleting your username
Go to WhatsApp Manager → Phone Numbers → Username
Select the phone number
Choose the option to delete the username and confirm
Note: The same 60-day hold applies after deletion — the username is reserved for you during this period before becoming publicly available again.
FAQ
Can I use the same username across multiple phone numbers?
No. Usernames are unique to a phone number. If your business has multiple numbers, each needs a different username. You can use the same display name across all of them.
Will my business phone number be hidden once I set a username?
No. Your business phone number remains visible to customers. A username is an additional way for new contacts to find you — it does not hide your number.
What if my preferred username is already taken on Instagram or Facebook?
You will not be able to use it on WhatsApp. Usernames must be unique across all Meta platforms simultaneously.
Can I change my username more than once?
Yes, you can change or delete your username at any time via WhatsApp Manager.