WhatsApp is notifying businesses through its Manager tool that they should begin preparing for the username feature. June 2026 is the important deadline for making the needed backend changes.
WhatsApp Meta will launch usernames
The alert gained attention after @jonah_manzano shared a screenshot. This change is related to Meta’s new user ID system for businesses, called BSUID. The system will support chats where a user’s phone number is not the main identifier.
For regular users, this offers a significant improvement in privacy. WhatsApp adding usernames as an optional feature, allowing people to connect with others or businesses without revealing their phone number. It closes a notable gap between WhatsApp and other popular messaging apps.
Make it easier to find business with username
Meta’s developer documentation states that BSUID will help identify users for businesses, specifically to support usernames. A report mentions that businesses using the WhatsApp Business API start creating and claiming usernames as early as June 2026. Some brands even gain early access based on their current display names, official accounts, Meta Verified status, or linked Facebook and Instagram handles.
WABetaInfo reported last year that WhatsApp informed business partners that usernames introduced in 2026 and that changes would need to made by June.
Beyond the technical aspects, usernames could offer everyday users a practical benefit. It make it easier to find and message businesses on WhatsApp without needing to know or save a phone number first. This could create a more open and user-friendly experience, similar to Telegram.
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