Step by step

Step 1: Log in to WhatsApp Manager with an account that has full control (or basic partial access with the corresponding manage permission) over the phone number.

Step 2: In the left menu, open Account tools › Phone numbers and select the WhatsApp Business number you’re going to configure.

Step 3: Open the number’s Profile tab.

Step 4: In the Username section, click Create.

Step 5: Enter the desired username following the format rules and confirm. If your country’s activation hasn’t arrived yet, the username will stay reserved and become active once the feature is available in your region.

Note: before the feature is available, you may have the option to claim a username that Meta reserved for your business, or adopt a different one aligned with your branding. If the reserved username is already in use with your Facebook Page or Instagram account, you must first link your WhatsApp Business number to that page or account before you can claim it.

What is a username and what is it for?

A username is a public name associated with a single WhatsApp Business phone number. It lets people identify and contact your business without needing to know your phone number, and it protects your brand name from other businesses.

Note: the business username does not hide your phone number in the app; it is a brand-identity feature, not a privacy one.

Username format rules

• Only English letters (a-z), digits (0-9), period (.), and underscore (_).
• Non-English characters (ñ, é, ü, etc.) are not supported.
• Between 3 and 35 characters.
• Must contain at least one letter.
• Must not start or end with a period, have two consecutive periods, start with www, or end with a domain (.com, .org, etc.).

When can I reserve it, and when does it go live?

Reservation opens June 29, 2026 globally. Activation (when the username becomes usable) is rolled out in waves by country: Wave 1 on July 7, Wave 2 on July 20, and global availability around the end of August 2026. Reserving it early protects your brand name even if activation arrives later.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What happens if the username I want is already in use with my Facebook Page or Instagram account?

You must link your WhatsApp Business number to that page or account before you can claim it. You can do this when claiming the username, or by adding your number directly on the page or account.

Can I have more than one username per number?

No. Each WhatsApp Business number has only one username at a time, and it is unique across all of WhatsApp.

Does reserving the username hide my phone number?

No. The business username does not hide your number in the app; it is a brand-identity feature.

When does my username go live?

Reservation opens June 29, 2026, but usability depends on your country’s wave (Wave 1: July 7; Wave 2: July 20; global availability: end of August 2026).

You can also register your username directly from Botmaker: see the article “How to register your WhatsApp username from Botmaker”. To understand the BSUID identifier and the impact of the change, see the article “WhatsApp introduces usernames and a new account identifier (BSUID)”.

Learn step-by-step how to register your username using Botmaker in the article “How to Register Your WhatsApp Username Using Botmaker.”

Remember to visit our Help Center for further information.