WhatsApp is currently developing a new feature that will enable users to assign a username to their profiles. This feature, revealed in a beta version of the app, could significantly alter the way users interact on the platform. While users in the beta testing program do not have access to this feature yet, a feature tracker has released a preview that illustrates what it may look like once it becomes available to the public.
The latest beta version, WhatsApp for Android beta 2.23.11.15, includes code that hints at the introduction of a username selection feature, as reported by WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo. Although still a work in progress, the tracker has provided a sneak peek of how the feature could appear to users.
The preview image shows a prompt stating “This is your unique username” beneath the username picker, ensuring that usernames will be unique across the platform. This functionality echoes features found on social media and messaging platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram, where users can choose distinct usernames for interactions.
WABetaInfo notes that to access the username picker, users would tap the three-dot menu, navigate to Settings, and then Profile. This feature is positioned under the profile Name section, just above the About section. Additionally, a pencil icon will allow users to modify their username, although there may still be changes to the feature’s functionality before its official launch.
The preview provided does not explain in detail how the username feature will work within the app. However, it raises potential for allowing users to communicate solely through usernames, thereby enhancing privacy. Historically, WhatsApp has connected users primarily via phone numbers.
