WhatsApp usernames allow people and businesses to connect on WhatsApp without relying only on phone numbers. Instead of sharing a phone number automatically, users can choose to communicate using a username.
A WhatsApp username is a unique identifier that users can create and display instead of their phone number.
Usernames are optional. Users who do not create a username will continue using and sharing their phone number as usual.
When a user adopts a username:
- Their username will appear in conversations instead of their phone number.
- Their phone number will no longer be automatically shared with businesses.
- Businesses can still collect, store, and communicate with users using a unique identifier provided by Meta — replacing the standard phone number.
Users can change their username over time without affecting their account or conversations.
How WhatsApp usernames affect your automations
WhatsApp users fall into two categories: those who have adopted a username and those who have not.
If a user does not have a username, you receive their phone number and account ID as usual.
If a user has a username:
- Their phone number is no longer shared with your business.
- Their username and a unique identifier provided by Meta appear in incoming messages instead.
⚠️ Review your automations to avoid disruptions caused by missing phone numbers.
When phone numbers still appear
Even after a user adopts a username, your business may still have access to their phone number in certain situations:
- Your business interacted with the user's phone number within the last 30 days.
- The user interacted with your business using their phone number within the last 30 days.
- The user shared their contact information manually.
If none of these conditions apply, only the unique identifier provided by Meta will be available for that contact.
|
If your business uses external tools or custom setups, review the following areas to avoid disruptions:
💡 No changes are needed in Manychat — the rollout is handled on the backend. However, if your business relies on external integrations or custom automations that use phone numbers, audit those setups proactively. |
Business usernames on WhatsApp
Businesses can adopt a WhatsApp username, making it easier for customers to find, identify, and connect with them without relying on phone numbers. Adopting a username does not hide your business phone number. It remains visible on your business profile.
Each business phone number can have one username at a time, and all usernames are unique across WhatsApp, no two businesses can share the same username.
Business username requirements
Business usernames must:
- Be between 3 and 35 characters
- Contain at least one letter
- Use only letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), periods (.), or underscores (_)
- Not start or end with a period
- Not contain consecutive periods
- Not start with "www"
- Not end with a domain extension (such as ".com" or ".org")
- It cannot include the name of another well-known business or product
Valid username examples: mybusiness, my.business, my_business
Reserved usernames
Based on your business information, Meta has already reserved usernames for you. These suggestions are based on your:
- WhatsApp display name
- Official Business Account status
- Facebook Page username
- Instagram handle
When selecting a username, you can either claim one of these reserved options or choose a different one — as long as it meets the formatting requirements above and has not been taken by another business.
Reserved usernames are permanently associated with your business, so you can claim a different username first and switch to a reserved one at any time.
💡 If you manage multiple phone numbers under the same Meta business portfolio, you can transfer a claimed username between numbers directly from Manychat.
How to set up a WhatsApp username for your business account
There are two ways to do it: directly from Manychat or from your Meta Business Suite.
From Manychat
- Open Settings.
- Select WhatsApp from the list of channels.
- Find the WhatsApp username section.
- If you don’t have a username yet, click the Request Username button.
- In the pop-up that opens, type the username that you want to have for your business. If the username you’re typing doesn’t meet the requirements, you will see it right there in the window.
- Once you’re done, click Request Username in the pop-up and wait for the username to be approved.
- If, for some reason, the username can’t be used for your account, you will see the notification. Click Update Username and try again.
If you want to change the username, click the pencil icon next to the username in the same section. In the pop-up that opens, you can either change the username or delete it.
From Meta Business Suite
- Go to Meta Business Suite.
- Click on Settings in the sidebar.
- Find and select WhatsApp Accounts.
- Click on your account name to see your account details.
- Switch to the Profile tab.
- There, scroll down to the Username section and click Create.
- In the pop-up that opens, type the username you want to add to your business account.
- Click Save to have it approved.
- Once it is approved, click Close in the pop-up window.
💡 If your username is rejected, verify it meets all the requirements in Meta's documentation. If the issue persists, contact Meta Support.