what they are, what they are for and how to reserve yours

Let’s tell you what it is and how to request your WhatsApp usernamewith which having to give your phone number to contact someone will go down in history. This is a feature that we have been waiting for for a long time, and that has finally begun to roll out.

Let’s start by explaining to you what exactly usernames are, so that understand what they are for. Then, we will tell you how you can reserve yours step by step.

Usernames cannot be used yet, but you are now starting to be able to reserve them. This reservation function is being deployed gradually so it will gradually reach all of us, but not all of us will be able to do it yet.

What are usernames and what are they for?

WhatsApp usernames are a unique identification method so other people can find you. The idea is that each person who uses WhatsApp has their own username, which will be unique and no one else can have.

Usernames will be used to no need to give your phone number when you want someone to write to you. Therefore, it is an alternative to giving your number.

This will allow you to have an extra layer of privacy. Until now, the only way for someone to contact you on WhatsApp was to give them your phone number, something quite personal and which can even be dangerous. Now, with a username you won’t need to give your number.

The way it works is simple. If I tell you that I would like to write to you on WhatsApp, you will give me your username. So when I click on the write a new message button, By writing your user number I will get your contact. In addition to this, it will also be used to log in to the account.

Each user may have a single name, but The first one to set it up will keep it.. This means that if you have a common name, like Maria, the name @maria may fly very quickly, and you will have to add other characters such as numbers or additional letters.

Here, remember that your username will be foreverso you will have to look for one that identifies you so that it is as personal as possible. Ideally, it would be easy to type so that they can find you, but in a service with billions of users this will end up being difficult.

How to reserve your username

Image: Javi Márquez

To reserve your username you have to enter the settings of your WhatsApp account. To do this, you have to click on the top right on Android to see the settings option, and on iOS you just have to click on the tab You.

Once inside, click on the section Account that appears in the main menu with a key icon. Once inside, click on the option User name what you will see in the section Your account. You will go to a screen where the function is explained, and where you must click on Create username.

Image: Javi Marquez

This will take you to a menu where you will have to write the username you want to use. This is the most complicated part, because the names cannot be repeated. Therefore, you will have to try names until you find one free. For example, if you type “pepito” you may see a red indicator saying that it is busy. Then, you will have to add characters or change letters until you find one that is free.

As we have been able to provesome usernames will only be able to be reserved with WhatsApp Business, so in some cases you will have to make the jump to this modality. You will also have to be original to find a free one, although you must try not to make it overly complicated so that others can write it by hand.

Once you have chosen the username, you will have to configure who can contact us with it. You can make it so that all WhatsApp users can do so, but you can also generate a password so that only people who have it can contact you, something that serves to cut off massive messages from random people if your username were to be spread.

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