WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users. When you sign up for WhatsApp, you are asked to provide your phone number, which becomes your unique identifier on the platform. So WhatsApp does not actually use traditional usernames like other social media platforms. However, there are some workarounds and tricks you can use to create a sort of username on WhatsApp.
Using Your Phone Number as a Username
Your phone number is your default username on WhatsApp. When you exchange contacts with someone new, you have to provide your phone number for them to be able to add and message you on WhatsApp.
While phone numbers are the standard way of identifying yourself on WhatsApp, many users prefer to have a more customized username that is not just a string of numbers. Having a proper username can also add more privacy and prevent strangers from contacting you directly by phone number alone.
Setting a Profile Name
WhatsApp does allow you to set a profile name, which is different from your phone number displayed as your WhatsApp ID. This profile name can act as a sort of display name or username when chatting with your contacts.
To set a profile name on WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings
- Tap on your Profile picture at the top
- Tap on your current Name/Profile name
- Enter your desired display name or username
- Tap OK to save changes
This profile name will now be visible to all your WhatsApp contacts when chatting. However, it does not change your actual WhatsApp ID, which remains your phone number.
Using Special Unicode Characters
A workaround that has become popular on WhatsApp is the use of special Unicode characters to create a unique username. By inserting special characters between the digits of your phone number, you can create a custom ID.
For example, you could use characters like dashes, dots or middle dots to separate your phone number like this:
Phone number: 9876543210
WhatsApp ID: 987•654•3210
Or
Phone number: 9876543210
WhatsApp ID: 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-0
This allows you to transform your phone number into a more customized username-like ID on WhatsApp. The number remains the same and functional, but visually it looks different due to the characters.
Using Business Profiles
WhatsApp Business accounts have the option to create a business profile with a username instead of a phone number. This is specifically meant for businesses to have a professional presence on WhatsApp without showing a personal phone number.
Business accounts on WhatsApp can create a unique username on the app that acts as their virtual business phone number. Customers can then search for and message the business on WhatsApp using this username rather than a numeric phone number.
However, this feature is only available to WhatsApp Business accounts at the moment. Regular users cannot create a custom business profile with a username on standard WhatsApp.
Using Third-Party Apps
There are some third-party apps and tools that claim to allow you to set a custom username on WhatsApp by linking your account. However, this typically involves providing your WhatsApp login details to these external tools which can be risky.
Apps like WhatsApp Plus and GB WhatsApp claim to offer username features, but these are unofficial modified versions of WhatsApp and go against the platform’s terms of service. Using such tools could lead to your account being banned.
In general, it is not recommended to use any unofficial third-party apps or tools to try and set a username on WhatsApp due to security and account suspension risks. Stick to the official WhatsApp client for the best experience.
Choosing a Display Name for Chat
While you cannot change your actual WhatsApp ID from your phone number, you can set a custom display name to show in chats instead.
To do this:
- Open WhatsApp Settings
- Tap your Profile Picture
- Tap on your current Name/Profile Name
- Enter your new desired display name
- Tap OK to save changes
This display name will now show within your chats instead of just your phone number. You can change this display name anytime. While not exactly a username, it does allow you to customize what you show as your name in WhatsApp chats.
Using Emojis and Symbols as WhatsApp Display Name
In addition to regular text, you can also use emojis and symbols to create a unique WhatsApp display name. This lets you make your chats more expressive and fun.
Some examples of using emojis and symbols in WhatsApp display name:
- ⚡️John⚡️
- ☕️Coffee Addict☕️
- {🎵Music Lover🎵}
This extra flair can give your WhatsApp display name a more iconic and identifiable look among your contacts. While emojis and symbols don’t work in your actual WhatsApp ID, they are great for spicing up your chat display name.
Display Name Ideas for WhatsApp
Here are some creative ideas you can use when setting a display name on WhatsApp:
- Your nickname
- Your initials
- Your hobby or interest
- Your profession or job title
- An emoji combination
- Favorite fictional character name
- Alter ego or pseudonym
Make sure to keep your WhatsApp display name inoffensive and appropriate, as others will be able to see it when chatting with you. Have fun and get creative with your virtual identity!
Using Hacks to Get a WhatsApp Username
There are some hacking techniques that claim to allow setting a custom WhatsApp username, but these often involve unauthorized modifications to the app and could lead to a ban.
Some of these username hacks involve:
- Using modified APK files
- Exploiting debugging settings
- Installing root-enabled third party apps
- Using scripts and bots to overload WhatsApp servers
It is not recommended to attempt any of these complex technical workarounds just to get a username on WhatsApp. They violate WhatsApp’s terms of service and could get your account permanently suspended.
Risks of Trying Unsupported Username Hacks
Here are some of the risks to keep in mind when attempting WhatsApp username hacks:
- Account suspension or ban by WhatsApp
- Exposure of your personal information and messages
- Potential scams and frauds
- Malware or viruses affecting your device and data
- Unstable app performance and loss of messages
In most cases, the best option is to simply use your phone number or set a profile name/display name within the official WhatsApp app. This avoids any violations of terms of service or potential account risks down the road.
Why Usernames Aren’t Official on WhatsApp
WhatsApp likely does not offer an official username feature to help maintain its simplicity and ease of use. Some reasons usernames aren’t a standard option on WhatsApp:
- Phone numbers are easier to manage as unique IDs
- Avoids duplicate or confusing usernames
- Usernames can be claimed/impersonated
- Usernames are one more thing for users to set up
Overall, phone numbers make sense as identifiers on a messaging platform. They are unique, easy to verify, and most users already have an existing number they can use. Usernames would add complexity that WhatsApp seems to want to avoid in favor of simplicity.
Verdict: No Official WhatsApp Usernames
Unfortunately, there is currently no official, sanctioned way to set a custom username on WhatsApp. Your phone number will always be your main identity and ID on your WhatsApp account.
While you can use display names, Unicode characters, and business profiles to emulate usernames, these have limitations and don’t change your actual underlying ID. Any external username changing apps or hacks risk your account being banned.
WhatsApp strives for ease of use, and phone numbers simplify things. Usernames may cause confusion and duplications. Unless WhatsApp decides to add native username support in the future, phone numbers are here to stay as your main identifier.
The best current option is to set a customized display name and use that as your pseudo-username when chatting on WhatsApp. But third-party usernames and hacks should generally be avoided due to security risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my WhatsApp number to a username?
No, there is no official way to change your WhatsApp number ID to a custom username. Your phone number will always be your main identity on WhatsApp. Some workarounds like using special characters or business profiles can create a username-like effect, but you cannot change your actual ID number.
Can someone else take my WhatsApp username?
Usernames are not officially available on WhatsApp. Phone numbers are used for identities instead. Each phone number can only have one associated WhatsApp account. So there is no risk of someone else claiming your username, since usernames themselves are not a feature.
Does WhatsApp check usernames?
Again, WhatsApp does not have official support for usernames. Only phone numbers are checked when creating an account, to avoid duplicate accounts and verify identities. WhatsApp does not check or approve custom usernames since that functionality does not exist natively – phone numbers are the only ID.
Can I change my WhatsApp username every month?
You cannot change your WhatsApp username every month, because WhatsApp does not actually support usernames as an account identity. Your phone number remains fixed as your ID. Some users change their display name monthly, but this does not impact your underlying WhatsApp account identifier.
Is having a username on WhatsApp safe?
Having an official username on WhatsApp is not currently possible from a safety standpoint. Some third-party apps claim to add usernames by modifying WhatsApp, but this violates terms of service and can compromise your account security. Stick to the official WhatsApp app and your phone number as ID for the safest experience.
Conclusion
In summary, there is unfortunately no built-in way to get an actual username on WhatsApp. Due to the risks of third-party apps and hacking attempts, your best options are using your phone number, customized display name, or a WhatsApp Business profile if you need something resembling a username for professional reasons. But otherwise, for standard users, phone numbers remain the sole official identifier on WhatsApp accounts.