WhatsApp username reservations go live this week

WhatsApp is finally, after years of testing and anticipation, introducing usernames. You will be able to reserve yours starting « this week ». The usernames themselves will only roll out « later this year » though, in a gradual manner. WhatsApp will notify you when they’re available in your country.

Obviously, with over three billion users, a lot of people will want the same username, so it’s going to be a wild ride. WhatsApp says it’s adding usernames because « a phone number is personal and it’s tied to so many parts of your life », and « sometimes you just want to chat without handing over…