WhatsApp is making one of its biggest changes since it launched: users can now choose a username and keep their phone number private. For businesses that brings two things. You can claim a username for your brand, so customers can find you without your number. And you need to be ready for customers who contact you with a username, because you may no longer see their phone number. This guide covers both.
In short: reserve your business username now, in WhatsApp Manager or through your provider, before someone else picks a similar one. Then make sure your systems can identify customers by a business-scoped user ID (BSUID) as well as by phone number, because customers who use a username may not share their number with you.
What’s changing
- Usernames for users. WhatsApp users can pick a username and share that instead of their phone number. Users can also set an optional username key that new contacts need before they can message them.
- Usernames for businesses. A business phone number can have one username, which customers can search for to start a chat.
- A new ID for customers. When a customer uses a username, WhatsApp may give your business a business-scoped user ID (BSUID) instead of their phone number.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| April 2026 | BSUIDs started appearing alongside messages businesses receive. |
| 29 June 2026 | Businesses could start reserving usernames, beginning with Official Business Accounts and Meta Verified businesses. |
| July 2026 | Businesses could send messages to a BSUID, not just a phone number. |
| From July 2026 | Usernames switched on for WhatsApp users gradually, country by country. |
Reserving your business username
Your username is part of your brand on WhatsApp, like a social media handle. Customers can search for it, and you can print it on your website, receipts and packaging instead of a phone number.
The rules
- 3 to 35 characters long.
- Only lower-case English letters (a to z), numbers, full stops and underscores, with at least one letter.
- It can’t start or end with a full stop, or contain two full stops in a row.
- Usernames are unique across WhatsApp and capital letters are ignored, but full stops and underscores count:
brightcare,bright.careandbright_careare three different names. - One username per business phone number.
Reserved or approved?
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Reserved | The username is yours and approved, but not yet visible to customers, usually because usernames aren’t switched on in their country yet. |
| Approved | The username is live and customers can find you with it. |
WhatsApp may already have reserved a username for your business based on your profile, and can suggest names that are more likely to be approved. You can accept a suggestion or ask for a different one. Some businesses aren’t eligible yet; a higher messaging limit may be needed.
Choosing a good username
- Match your brand and the handles you use on other platforms, so customers recognise it.
- Keep it short and easy to type, and avoid full stops and underscores unless your brand uses them.
- Think about each number. If you have separate WhatsApp numbers for sales and support, each can have its own username, such as
brightcareandbrightcare.help. - Act early. Claim your username before a similar one is taken, even if it won’t be visible in your country yet.
Getting ready for customers with usernames
Many businesses use the customer’s phone number to find their account, link conversations to orders and send follow-ups. When a customer messages you using a username, you may receive a BSUID instead, such as GB.13491208655302741918.
When you’ll still see the phone number
WhatsApp still shares the number if you’ve messaged or called the customer, or they’ve messaged you, in the last 30 days, or if they’re in your WhatsApp contact book. Existing customers who already talk to you on WhatsApp are least affected. The change mostly affects new customers who find you by username.
What to update
- Store the BSUID. Save it against the customer record alongside their phone number, and use it to recognise them next time. It’s specific to your business and changes if the customer changes their phone number.
- Don’t depend on the phone number alone. Check that your CRM, helpdesk and bots can handle a conversation that has a BSUID and no number.
- Ask when you need a number. If you need a phone number, for example to find an account, ask the customer for it in the conversation, or ask them to verify another way.
- Keep phone numbers for passcodes. WhatsApp’s authentication templates for one-time passcodes still need a phone number. Use SMS where you don’t have one. See WhatsApp message types and pricing.
- Check your reporting. Reports keyed on phone number may split one customer into two. Match on BSUID as well.
Protecting your customers and your brand
- Tell customers your exact username on your website and in your messages, so they know which account is really you.
- Combine it with a verified profile. Meta Verified and Official Business Account badges help customers trust that a username belongs to you.
- Watch for lookalikes. Because
bright.careandbright_careare different names, report accounts that imitate your brand to WhatsApp. - Remind customers you’ll never ask for passwords or card details in a chat. For anything sensitive, send a secure link instead. See digital letters.
How everymessage supports WhatsApp usernames
- Messages from username customers are never lost. When a customer contacts you with a username, we identify the conversation by their BSUID and pass it to your inbox, workflow or systems.
- Reply and send by BSUID. Our WhatsApp API accepts a BSUID wherever you’d use a phone number, with no changes to your integration.
- We handle your username. We can check WhatsApp’s suggestions for your number, claim your username and change it later.
- SMS where WhatsApp can’t help. Send one-time passcodes by SMS to customers whose phone number you don’t have on WhatsApp, from the same platform.
Frequently asked questions
What are WhatsApp usernames?
A username is a name WhatsApp users can choose, so people can contact them without seeing their phone number. Businesses can have a username too, which customers can search for to start a chat.
When could businesses reserve a WhatsApp username?
Reservations opened on 29 June 2026, starting with Official Business Accounts and Meta Verified businesses. Usernames are being switched on for WhatsApp users gradually, country by country.
What is the difference between a reserved and an approved username?
Both are yours. An approved username is visible to WhatsApp users now. A reserved username has been approved for you but isn’t visible yet, usually because usernames haven’t been switched on in that region.
Will I still get customers’ phone numbers?
Not always. When a customer uses a username, WhatsApp may send a business-scoped user ID instead of their phone number. You still get the number if you’ve exchanged messages or calls with them in the last 30 days, or if they’re in your WhatsApp contact book.
What is a business-scoped user ID (BSUID)?
A unique ID for a WhatsApp user that only applies to your business, such as GB.13491208655302741918. You can reply to customers and send them messages using it, even if you don’t know their phone number.
Can I send one-time passcodes to a BSUID?
No. WhatsApp’s one-tap, zero-tap and copy-code authentication templates still need the customer’s phone number. Keep phone numbers for customers who use WhatsApp passcodes, or send passcodes by SMS.
What characters can a business username use?
Lower-case English letters, numbers, full stops and underscores, between 3 and 35 characters, with at least one letter. It can’t start or end with a full stop or contain two full stops in a row.
Claim your WhatsApp username
We’ll check what’s available for your WhatsApp number, reserve your username and make sure your systems are ready for customers who use one.