How to choose a WhatsApp username

WhatsApp is planning to add usernames, similar to Telegram. They are not yet available in the messenger, but you can already reserve a name.

Who can choose a username in advance

Users of personal and business WhatsApp accounts, including those connected as WABA.

If your account is connected as WABA, your company must be verified and your display name must be approved. Otherwise, you won't be able to choose a name: an error will appear when reserving a username.

👉 How to set your display name correctly

👉 How to verify your company and display name

Why reserve a username in advance

So that no one takes it before you. This is important if you want a specific name that matches your website or company name.

If you have an Instagram account, your username cannot be taken on WhatsApp. To keep the names the same on both platforms, you need to link your accounts — this cannot be done without access to them.

How to reserve a username

For a personal account

Log in to the WhatsApp app. Open your profile in the bottom right corner → the "Account" section → "Username" → "Create username".

To keep your Instagram and WhatsApp usernames the same, link your Instagram account to your phone number. To do this, click "Use Instagram username" — the messenger will prompt you to add your number to the Meta Accounts Center. Click "Confirm" and follow the instructions in WhatsApp.

For a WhatsApp Business account

This method is for accounts connected in the WhatsApp Business app and added to Wazzup as regular WhatsApp channels. If you have WABA, skip to the section below.

Log in to the WhatsApp Business app. Open your profile in the bottom right corner → the "Account" section → "Username".

To keep your Instagram and WhatsApp usernames the same, you can link your Instagram account to your messenger number — follow the instructions from Facebook.

For WABA

1. Go to WhatsApp Manager via the link — the phone numbers section will open.

2. Click on the row with the required number to open the settings → the "Profile" tab.

3. Under "Username", click "Create".

4. Enter the profile name → "Save".

If you entered your Instagram username and an error appeared, it may be because your Instagram and WhatsApp accounts are not linked in Meta Business Suite.