WhatsApp is trialing a username system that lets people message without exposing their phone numbers — a bold move that could reshape privacy on the world’s largest messaging app.

Early versions for Android and iOS show users can set unique handles instead of numbers. WABetaInfo, which tracks WhatsApp updates, says Meta is checking for duplicates before a wider release that’s expected soon. The test appears in Android beta version 2.25.28.12, where users can already “reserve” their chosen names ahead of launch.

The change fits Meta’s push to move away from phone-based identity and tighten control over personal data. Users will be able to start chats or join groups using only a username, keeping their number hidden from strangers and spammers. Reports suggest the platform will also let users display only their handle when joining new groups — a move likely to appeal to businesses and communities managing large public channels.

Reports from several media outlets say group participants may soon appear under usernames only. In addition, an unnamed source familiar with the rollout said the aim is to make “interactions between individuals and businesses safer and more controlled”.

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Registration will still require a phone number, but beta testers can already reserve usernames. Each handle must include at least one letter and can use lowercase characters, numbers, periods, or underscores.

For WhatsApp’s two billion users, it’s a clear signal of the platform’s new stance: privacy is being rebuilt around identity, not contact lists. The update also brings the messaging service closer to rivals such as Telegram, which have long supported handle-based communication — underscoring how Meta is adapting its messaging products to modern privacy expectations.