Recently, WhatsApp revealed it would enable users to add others using usernames – breaking the cycle of WhatsApp accounts being tied to a phone number. Interestingly, you won’t be able to browse for other users – you will instead need to know their complete username so they will have to tell you themselves.
Although the feature isn’t officially launched yet, WhatsApp is enabling you to reserve your username now, providing someone hasn’t grabbed the same thing already. Reserving a username isn’t currently available on WhatsApp Web or Desktop so you need to use your phone to do it. It’s also completely optional – you don’t have to reserve one and WhatsApp will keep working in the same way. You can have the option to connect your Instagram account to use the same username. Once your username becomes active, people who don’t have your number saved will see your username instead – so people will see your username in group chats.
Reserving your optional username doesn’t take too long – just go to Settings > Account > Username in the app, and you can choose yours. Ensure your app is up-to-date if you can’t see how to do it. WhatsApp tells us this is a global rollout, it isn’t being enabled country-by-country.
The move marks anotrher step in WhatsApp’s move to messaging beyond one device – your phone – for example, if you have a work and personal phone you will be able to have the same account on both devices and you can do this on the iPad, too.
Meta-owned WhatsApp has introduced a bunch of updates this year including changes to polls with end times and anonymous responses, event reminders, a way to tag everyone in a group for time-sensitive issues and create new group chats using the members from existing groups. Admins can also share recent group history with new members, too. There’s also a new interface for WhatsApp on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, too.
Read the full article here
