• 2 min read
WhatsApp begins enabling usernames on iPhone
WhatsApp has started activating reserved usernames for a very limited number of iPhone users, with support appearing in both beta and public builds.
Image: WABetaInfo
WhatsApp has started turning on its reserved username feature for a very limited number of users on iPhone, just days after introducing the reservation system.
Last month, WhatsApp added a way for users to claim a unique handle ahead of the broader rollout. The option is available under Settings > Account > Username, where users can also decide whether anyone who knows their username can contact them, or whether new contacts must enter a four-digit PIN as well.
If someone chooses a username that matches an account already established on another Meta platform, such as Facebook or Instagram, WhatsApp may ask them to prove they control that account. The goal is to reduce misuse of high-profile usernames and limit impersonation that could lead to scams.
Recommended reading
Copilot may diagnose your PC — while using 1GB RAM
As first spotted by WABetaInfo, some users are now seeing a banner at the top of the chat list confirming that their username is active and ready to share with new contacts.
According to the report, the rollout has reached both beta users and people on WhatsApp’s official version, though it currently appears restricted to a small test group. Users can check for access by looking for the chat-list banner or by opening the Username section in profile settings.
If the feature is live, WhatsApp will show that the username is active. If not, users will see the message: “[u]sernames are coming soon. We’ll let you know when yours is ready to use.”
Computing Editor
Tomas lives in the terminal. He covers chips, laptops, and operating systems with a focus on performance and efficiency. He reads kernel changelogs the way other people read fiction, and he's always on the hunt for the perfect mechanical keyboard switch. If it processes data, Tomas has an opinion on it.
via 9to5Mac
