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WhatsApp rolls out username field for new contacts to select users
Key points
- WhatsApp adds a username field for new contacts.
- The feature is rolling out to select beta and stable users.
- Usernames will supplement phone numbers for identification.
- This follows earlier username reservation and activation efforts.
Username Field Appears in Contact Creation
WhatsApp has begun rolling out support for a username field when users create a new contact. This field is positioned between the first and last name fields and the phone number section in the contact creation screen. This change is visible to select users on both beta and stable versions of the application.
Transition from Phone Number Reliance
This update signifies WhatsApp's ongoing shift from solely using phone numbers for user identification. Earlier this year, the platform initiated a username reservation system, followed by activating usernames for some iPhone users. The new contact field is another step in this transition.
How the Feature Works
Users can access the new field by tapping the '+' button in the Chats tab navigation bar and selecting 'New contact'. While the contact creation screen largely remains the same, the username field is a new addition. Once usernames are widely available, WhatsApp is expected to automatically populate this field when a new contact is created from the chat info screen.
Industry Alignment
The introduction of username support brings WhatsApp closer to the functionality offered by many other messaging platforms, which have long included usernames as a basic identification feature. This move addresses a long-standing difference between WhatsApp and its competitors.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
WhatsApp is introducing a username field when creating new contacts for select users, moving away from exclusive reliance on phone numbers for user identification. This update allows users to save a contact's username alongside their name and phone number, aligning WhatsApp with features common in other messaging platforms.