WhatsApp users will soon be able to set and share their username with others without their phone number being visible.
Usernames in WhatsApp are now available for a limited number of users, as noted by WABetaInfo. This way, users no longer need to share their phone number to start a conversation; a username will suffice. The feature had a long beta period but is now being rolled out to a limited group. Afterwards, the feature will become available to more users on both iOS and Android.
Username over phone number
In the future, users will be able to change their username in WhatsApp. This allows you to start conversations with people without having to share your phone number every time. The advantage is that your phone number remains hidden.
The feature appears in the settings menu under profile settings. There, you can set your username. You can choose to use your existing name from Facebook or Instagram, or pick a new one. In the latter case, you will still need to verify that it is actually you.
Additionally, there are several guidelines associated with a username. For instance, they may not start or end with a period and must be between three and 35 characters long. Furthermore, you are not allowed to use a domain name.