TECH
No need for mobile number, just use username to search for someone on WhatsApp, new feature coming soon
WhatsApp is testing a new privacy feature that will allow users to chat without revealing someone's phone number using just their @username and Username Key. The chat button will appear as soon as you type the username into the WhatsApp search bar.
WhatsApp is testing a new feature that allows you to search for any user by simply entering their username. You don't need to have their phone number. This feature could prove beneficial for user privacy. You don't need to give everyone your number. They can use your username to chat with you on WhatsApp. Now that username reservation is enabled, you can search for usernames in the WhatsApp search bar. Let's learn how to use this feature.
Search by username
A popular tipster on X has shared a screenshot clearly showing this upcoming WhatsApp feature. In his tweet, he wrote that WhatsApp is testing a new feature that will allow people to search for and communicate with people by their username.
WhatsApp is now testing chatting with people just by searching their username After username reservation went live, you can now search @username in the WhatsApp search bar and it shows the account even if they are not in your contacts, with a Chat button But you can't message directly, WhatsApp asks for that account's "username key" first, so only people who know the key can start a chat without your number Good for privacy, no need to share phone number anymore 👀 Thanks @gk_gutte143 for sharing images.
— Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd) October 17, 2026
You will be able to talk like this without number
The special feature is that even if the person isn't in your contacts list, their account will still appear, along with a chat button. This means that if you don't have their phone number, but you know their WhatsApp username, you can search for them on WhatsApp. Simply enter @username in the WhatsApp search bar, and the account will appear.
Will not work without username key
Even after searching by username, you can't send messages directly. WhatsApp asks for the account's username for this. Therefore, only people who know your phone number can start a chat with you without it. This upcoming feature is great for privacy, as you won't need to share your phone number. Currently, the company hasn't provided any details about its launch.
Government's concern
However, the government has expressed concerns about the username feature. The government has already sent a notice to WhatsApp expressing its concerns about this new feature. In July 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology directed WhatsApp to provide clear information about this feature within three days. Furthermore, the government has asked WhatsApp not to launch it in India until discussions with the government are complete. The government has expressed concern that allowing people to contact others without knowing their phone numbers could increase cases of online fraud, phishing, and digital arrest scams.
