Differences between a user ID and your phone number on WhatsApp: what each person will be able to see

WhatsApp is preparing to introduce one of its major changes in many years: usernames or user IDsUntil now, everything has revolved around the phone number, but the Meta app wants you to be able to talk to other people without having to show your phone to everyone.

This new system, very similar to what platforms like Telegram have been using for some time, will allow each account to have a unique identifier different from the phone numberThis way, you can share your alias so someone can message you or find you, without directly revealing your personal contact information if you don't want to. Let's explore the Differences between a user ID and your phone number on WhatsApp.

What is a WhatsApp ID or username and how is it different from a phone number?

In practice, the ID or username will be a unique alias associated with your WhatsApp accountThis is like a public name that others can use to find and chat with you. No two will be the same, and it will be displayed as your primary identifier in many contexts, especially when you don't want to reveal your phone number.

Until now, if you wanted someone to message you on WhatsApp, you had no other option than Give him your phone number so he could add you as a contactThe system works, but it has a clear drawback: every time you give out your number, you're handing over highly sensitive data that can be used outside the app, for calls, spam or any other thing.

With the arrival of usernames, WhatsApp will add a real alternative to the telephone number as a means of contactAnyone can search for you or open a chat with you using your alias, without that implying directly seeing your mobile in many scenarios, especially when there is no prior contact relationship.

This user ID will also play a key role in accessing the account itself, as it will be part of the identification systems within the appIn addition, the username will now be displayed in the contact information and in various sections where only the phone number was previously visible. To protect this access, WhatsApp is implementing improvements such as advanced authentication options.

Key differences between your phone number and your user ID on WhatsApp

The big news is that, from this change onwards, you will have Two different ways to be identified on WhatsAppYour phone number (as before) and your username. Each will have a different role, with clear implications for privacy and how you interact.

On the one hand, the number will continue to be the data that WhatsApp will use this to register and verify the account.In other words, you'll still need a phone line to register and receive the SMS verification code, just like always. It's not going away, it's just no longer the only way to find you.

The username, on the other hand, will function as public identity within the WhatsApp ecosystemUsers will be able to search for you by that alias, add you, see you in groups, or start a conversation without necessarily having to see your number in all cases, depending on the context and how the feature evolves.

Another important detail is that the current name that appears on your profile (the one you type and that your contacts see above your chats) It's not the same as the usernameThat visible name is purely aesthetic and can be repeated among thousands of users, while the ID will be a unique and technical identifier that WhatsApp will use to distinguish you from the rest.

In terms of daily experience, this means that People who don't have your phone number will be able to contact you using only your alias.And that in many spaces, such as open groups or chats with strangers, the phone number will no longer be exposed as aggressively as it has been until now.

What each person will be able to see: what is shown with the user ID and what with the number

One of the most interesting effects of this change is how it will modify What others see of you depending on whether they have your number or just your usernameWhatsApp seeks a balance between privacy and ease of use so you don't have to give your number away to just anyone.

When someone only knows your alias, the idea is that they can start a conversation by seeing you primarily through your usernameYour phone number will be kept in the background or directly hidden in certain contexts, which greatly reduces the exposure of your most sensitive personal data.

In individual chats or groups with strangers, WhatsApp is working to ensure that, instead of showing the number under your profile nameYour username will appear. This way, if you join a public group or are added to a conversation with people you don't know, your phone number won't be immediately visible.

People who already have your number saved, or with whom you already have a traditional contact relationship, will still be able to View and use your number as usualThe ID will not eliminate the classic method; it simply adds an option for greater privacy when you come into contact with new people.

In addition, WhatsApp is testing a system whereby, if someone tries to message you using only your username, they will have to enter a code that you will have previously configured yourselfThis way, only people you give that code to will be able to break the ice with you through your ID, adding an extra barrier against bots and spam.

How to get and reserve your WhatsApp ID or username

For now, the function is currently in the development and internal testing phaseAnd it's not yet available to everyone. As is typical for WhatsApp, the rollout is being tested first in beta versions for both Android and iOS.

If you want to have more options to get the alias you want, the most logical move is Sign up for the WhatsApp beta program on your mobileUsers who try new features early usually receive the option to reserve their username first and, therefore, have priority in securing the most coveted aliases.

In some test versions, a screen can already be seen warning that “Usernames will be available soon” and encourages you to reserve yours.This makes it clear that WhatsApp intends to open a selection period for evaluators to choose aliases before the general public launch.

When the feature is visibly enabled, the process for choosing your ID will be quite straightforward: you'll need to go to the Go to the app settings and enter your account or profile section, usually by tapping on your photo or name at the top of the settings screen.

Within that section, where you can currently edit your name, your information, your phone number, and your links, a new field specifically for usernameFrom there, a wizard will open so you can try out aliases until you find one that is available and meets the rules.

Rules and requirements for creating your WhatsApp username

As with other platforms, WhatsApp won't let you post just anything randomly. The app will enforce this. a set of strict rules to ensure that each alias is easy to manage, unique, and difficult to confuse with websites or other identities.

To begin, the username It will have a minimum length of 3 characters and a maximum length of 30.In other words, no ultra-short one- or two-letter aliases, but also no endless, unrememberable nicknames. The idea is to maintain a reasonable middle ground.

Regarding the allowed characters, the system will only accept lowercase letters from aa to z, numbers from 0 to 9, periods and underscoresYou won't be able to use spaces, special symbols, or capital letters, which greatly simplifies searches and avoids confusion with visually similar variations.

In addition, the alias must include at least one letterThis prevents someone from reserving a username composed only of numbers or symbols, something that could be more easily confused or used to deceive.

WhatsApp will also restrict names that resemble web addresses. It will not allow them to Aliases should not begin with “www.” or end with domains such as “.com” or “.net”precisely to prevent people from trying to pass off identities that look like official sites or fake links.

The system will also prevent that the username begins or ends with a periodas well as having two consecutive periods anywhere in the username. These are very similar rules to those we already see on other social networks and help maintain a consistent format.

Availability, uniqueness, and real-time alias verification

One of the most important points is that the ID will be absolutely unique: once someone owns a name, no one else can use itIf you have a common name or a very popular alias, you'll have to be quick or creative, because the simpler ones will disappear quickly.

WhatsApp is developing tools so that, while you type your potential username, The app will tell you in real time if it's available or already taken.This check will be implemented in both the mobile app and the web version, making it easier to find an available alias without having to try blindly.

When you enter a taken name, the interface will display visual warnings (e.g., red indicators) This will let you know immediately that you need to change it or add extra characters. If the alias is available and meets all the requirements, you'll see a positive confirmation.

Unlike platforms like Telegram, everything points to WhatsApp It will not use discriminators or automatic suffixes This allows for seemingly identical names with some internal differentiator. There won't be two users with the same alias or invisible variations, which makes identity clearer but also significantly limits the options.

The tests have even shown one confirmation screen with animations (like confetti) Once you register a valid name, that alias will be linked to your account and used as the primary reference when someone interacts with you without having your phone number.

How your privacy will improve: using aliases instead of numbers

The great advantage of this whole system is that You will no longer have to give away your phone number every time you want to talk to someone new.You can simply provide your username and keep your mobile device in the background, much more protected.

This will be especially useful when you want to chat with strangers, participate in public groups or open communitieswhere anyone can currently see your number just by clicking on your profile. With the ID, in many of those cases only your alias will be displayed as visible information.

To further reduce the risk of unwanted contacts, WhatsApp is integrating that feature authorization code linked to the aliasIf someone tries to contact you using only your username, they'll have to enter the code you've chosen to share, preventing anyone who guesses your username from bombarding you with messages. Additionally, it's advisable to regularly scan your device for threats such as [insert threat names here]. Malware that spies on WhatsApp.

Even so, the company has made it clear that End-to-end encryption will remain active in all conversationsRegardless of whether they are initiated by phone number or username, the way you are found changes, but the level of protection of the chat content remains unaffected.

In short, the alias doesn't replace the number, but it does give you an extra layer of control over who sees your real mobile phone and whenYou'll have more flexibility to decide in which situations you share something as sensitive as your number and in which you prefer to keep only your public identifier.

Relationship between profile name, ID, and phone number

It's important to understand the difference between the three elements that will now coexist in your account: display name, username, and phone numberEach one fulfills a different role within the platform.

The name you already use on WhatsApp (the one you write in the profile information section) is simply a name that is visible to your contactsIt can be repeated a thousand times, it doesn't help you find yourself in a unique way, and it has no technical impact beyond how others see you.

The new ID or username will be the one that acts as unique identifier within the systemIt will be the one that is displayed in many cases where the number previously appeared, and it will be the one that others will use to locate you if they do not want or cannot have your phone number.

The phone number will remain the basis of the account registration and a piece of information visible to those contacts with whom you already have a direct relationshipIt is not removed from the ecosystem, but it is relieved of the obligation to share it with everyone.

Additionally, when you change your username, WhatsApp plans to send notifications within chats alerting your contacts that you have changed your aliasJust like when you change your profile picture or phone number, this will help avoid confusion or impersonation attempts.

Username limitations and restrictions

While aliases offer a lot of flexibility, not everything goes. WhatsApp has introduced limitations designed to reduce the risk of fraud, impersonation, or confusion with brands or public identities.

For example, the app will not allow usernames that imitate well-known brands, public figures, or official entities if they can be misleading. The idea is to stop, as much as possible, accounts that try to impersonate well-known companies or figures; in addition, it's advisable to be alert to threats such as stalkerware that can take advantage of confusion.

Aliases that may appear real websites or suspicious linksHence the rules regarding "www." and domains like ".com", ".net", and similar ones. This prevents a user from using a name that looks like a URL to deceive others on the platform.

Another interesting fact is that WhatsApp will block usernames that match contacts already saved in your address book In some scenarios, this is to avoid conflicts and confusion between your personal list and the service's public identifiers.

And, of course, the general standards of acceptable content From the platform: no offensive aliases, hate speech, aliases that include prohibited terms, or aliases that violate Meta's usage policies. If misuse is detected, the alias may be revoked.

Compatible with Android, iOS and web version

The first hints of this feature appeared in WhatsApp beta versions for Androidwhere the menus and internal fields for configuring the username were located. However, it won't stop there.

It was soon discovered that the company also is working on integrating the alias system into the iOS beta versionThis confirms that the change will come to both Android and iPhone. Meta intends for the feature to be available on both platforms almost simultaneously, or with very little delay.

Furthermore, there have been indications that WhatsApp is preparing An update for its web and desktop version that will allow users to check username availability before choosing them. This will make it easier to configure or adjust your alias from your computer, not just your mobile device.

As usual, the deployment will be gradual and in stagesIt will first reach a small number of test users, then more beta testers, and finally the general public in a stable update that will be rolled out by region.

In any case, when your account has access to the new feature, you will receive some kind of notice or notification within the app inviting you to register your usernameThis is something you should do as soon as possible if you want to ensure you have an easy-to-remember alias.

Impact on user experience: chats, groups, and security

Beyond the technical aspects, this change will directly affect how you interact with other users within WhatsAppMany interactions that currently expose your number will rely on your user ID in the future.

In open groups or with participants you don't have saved in your address book, it will be much more common for it to appear the username instead of the phone numberThis will prevent your most personal information from being visible to just anyone who opens the group information.

In conversations with people who only know your alias, the information they see about you will be focused on your ID and in the profile name, instead of the phone numberIf at any point you decide to share your number, you can always do so manually, but it will no longer be a requirement from the first contact.

This separation between alias and number also helps in cases of change of line or operatorIf you change your number but keep your account and username, your contacts will still be able to identify you by the same alias, reducing the chaos of having to notify everyone.

Of course, those who already have your number will continue to see and use it normally, so the transition will be relatively smooth. The big improvement lies in how you present yourself on environments with strangers or in one-off interactionsWhere before you had to give away your mobile phone, now you just need to give your username.

All these changes mean that the new user ID system in WhatsApp implies an important step towards more flexible and private communicationwhere you decide to what extent you show your phone number and in what situations you prefer to move around only with a unique and controlled alias.