GoKawiilAfter rolling out a username reservation system a few days ago, WhatsApp is now beginning to activate the full feature for a limited number of users. Here are the details.
WhatsApp starts activating reserved usernames
Last month, WhatsApp rolled out a username reservation system, allowing users to claim a unique handle before the full feature became available.
Users can claim their username by heading to Settings > Account > Username , where they can also choose whether anyone who knows it can contact them, or whether new contacts must also enter a four-digit PIN in addition to the username they’d like to reach.
When choosing a username that matches an account already established on another Meta platform, such as Facebook or Instagram, users may also be required to prove that they control the corresponding account. This is aimed at curbing the misuse of high-profile usernames and impersonation that could enable scams.
That said, as spotted by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is now beginning to activate reserved usernames for a limited number of accounts.
Users included in this initial rollout are now seeing a banner at the top of their chat list that lets them know their username is active and can now be shared with new contacts.
The report says that the feature is rolling out to both beta users and users on WhatsApp’s official version, but notes that for now, it appears to be limited to “a very limited number of users.”
To check whether your account has access, look for the banner at the top of your chat list or head to the Username section in your profile settings. That section will inform you that your username is active, or display a message that says “[u]sernames are coming soon. We’ll let you know when yours is ready to use.”
To read WABetaInfo’s full report on WhatsApp’s initial username rollout, follow this link.
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