₦airaland Forum

Username reservations are here, as more and more people claim theirs, here’s answers to the top questions you’re asking ⬇️

Q: Are usernames mandatory?

A: Nope, they are optional.
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Q: What if the username I want isn’t available?

A: There’s a few reasons you might not be able to reserve the username you want:

1) It’s an existing Instagram or Facebook username; these are reserved for their owners.

2) We’ve held well-known names and some variations of them - like public figures, celebrities, government entities and Meta-verified accounts - so they can only be claimed by their legitimate owners. If you try to reserve those, the system will say it’s not available.

3) Someone already claimed a common name, in that case use the username generator.
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Q: What if someone creates a username similar to mine to impersonate me or run a scam, how do you stop someone from pretending to be me?

A: Usernames are not available for messaging yet. When they are, and you get a message from someone new, we’ll let you know the country origin, and a warning for first time outreach. Well-known public-figure names and their variations are held for verified owners. We’re also keeping a close eye on blocks and reports to take action against scammers.
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Q: Can random people message me if they know or guess my username?

A: Just like you can’t search for a phone number in WhatsApp, you can’t search for a username. The best way to prevent someone from contacting you is to add a username key and to choose a username that is unique to WhatsApp.

All the current measures remain in place to prevent unwanted contact, including warnings with details about unknown senders (whether they're a new account, if you share groups, what country they're in) and the ability to block and report.
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Q: What is a username key?

A: An extra layer of protection you can enable with your username, so that another user will have to know both your username and your username key to contact you. You can reset your key at any time to stop new inbound contact through your username.
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Q: Do I have to link my other Meta accounts?

A: If you want the same username as your Instagram or Facebook account, you’ll have to link them. This one of the ways to reduce impersonation and to make sure you’re the legitimate owner of the account. But after that, you can unlink the account if you want, or you can choose a username unique to WhatsApp.
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Q: Can I change my username later?

A: Yes, as long as the new one you want is available.
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A few more things to keep in mind...

People are making false claims about reserving popular or well-known usernames - this isn't true, only the legitimate account owners are able to reserve well-known public-figure names.

We enabled reservations before usernames launch later this year because we think people will feel strongly about what username they want on WhatsApp. We’re taking our time and listening to feedback so that when it rolls out later this year we get it right.

Source: Whatsapp https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1478848820950399&id=WhatsApp

Not interested in getting username for my phone number. That's too much intrusion of privacy. There was a reason BBM had pins. They also say they have reserved some usernames to prevent impersonation 🤡

If it is not broken, don't fix It Meta. I am afraid this will be the last of WhatsApp because people know why they use WhatsApp not Facebook, X or IG. Human beings know how to adapt if you give them change they didn't ask for.

Utter rubbish news.

xxxxxx

When is it starting?
Let's update

Tell them to add "Schedule Send" feature.

That is what I need. Not username.

They are all going somewhere

We no need all this information, once the update come we go sabi am

Username on WhatsApp doesn't make much sense IMHO. Phone numbers are safer, more unique and verifiable. Not sure I'm interested in this one.

WhatsApp has a monopoly.

They can do whatever they like and people will still use it.

Imaging showing me Ads and introducing premium, they have lost it and it is sad no competition is close at all.

On another related note...

Don't switch to the WhatsApp Business Platform if you do not really have need for it.

There're some tradeoffs that aren't worth the transition.

Stay on your Business App.
Leave their AI autoresponse.
Except it can trigger a self call or schedule notifications and actions, the ai response isn't necessary for your business.

What of the hackers, if they changed your name, how do I retrieve it?

Everyday one change or another

If not business message on Whatsapp, I stopped responding to how far, how short messages

seems like impersonation can be report to meta

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You are building a website but you don't have a website yourseld

What sort of dumb scamming is this

And the mods have been allowing you to be derailing threads unnecessary with this jargons

If people can change their names at anytime then how do u keep track of them in ur chats?

That means they can commit a crime with one name and change to another name? or impersonate people?

I think this is not a well thought out idea.

Zuckerberg is always trying to fix what is not broken. Now many old time contacts or people that changed their numbers can no longer reach you if they dont know your pin. This is what they call excessive excessive.

I've already done mine since the very first day. Was trying to secure my username, that almost every Living thing now wants to bare

Jennyclay or siofra have to be careful with using their nairaland usernames because benin boys go fit lure dem when money no dey use dem cure better konji
I am just saying for their safety

We all like to criticise what we don't understand yet.

1. Usernames are easier to find and more private. Like Instagram only people you allow will be able to have access. Only problem is impersonation will be on the rise. People claiming to be rihanna lol.
2. Doesn't change the fact that you still have their numbers, you can call if you still need their new key to access them
3. I think he's trying to make it more social, where you can follow people.. seems the channels are useless. There might be a further option to follow people on WhatsApp.

All in all. It's his app, he's the master of the world. We can only complain

Whatsapp scammers that use phone numbers to scam innocent people will certainly not be happy with this new development of using "Usernames" instead of phone numbers.
Good innovation!

They're right here on nairaland reading comments

I tried it but it was awkward on my WhatsApp, so I deleted the username

Heffalump:
Whatsapp scammers that use phone numbers to scam innocent people will certainly not be happy with this new development of using "Usernames" instead of phone numbers.
Good innovation!

They're right here on nairaland reading comments

Phone numbers can still be used.

The username is only optional, not compulsory

Heffalump:
Whatsapp scammers that use phone numbers to scam innocent people will certainly not be happy with this new development of using "Usernames" instead of phone numbers.
Good innovation!

They're right here on nairaland reading comments

I see how the username take stop them from scamming for tiktok, Facebook and Instagram

Baba leave this thing, watsap is very cool with numbers, leave username for IG , Twitter and co, abeg no come spoil this sweet watsap wey we dey enjoy

themanderon:
Zuckerberg is always trying to fix what is not broken. Now many old time contacts or people that changed their numbers can no longer reach you if they dont know your pin. This is what they call excessive excessive.

This is a very good innovation from WhatsApp.

They are not putting an end to phone numbers and people who have your number can still message you.

Username is just to keep your number private and an alternative of peeps messaging you while keeping your number private.

For instance, if I don't wanna give you my number, I can simply give you my username e.g Techu.. you searched Techu and reach me while I keep my number from you.

This is a very good thing.

Lol. Nigerians are illiterates. See them up there. And they are tbe ones always rushing to make comments. Lol.

God bless Whatsapp. Lol. One said username fpr him is intrusion of privacy. A don laugh tire here.

They don't even understand what the function is about. Mehn! Too many illiterates in the arena.

ikorodureporta:
Source: Whatsapp https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1478848820950399&id=WhatsApp

Nadia Buari said , they have used all the possible names she could come up with. People dey vex o . Lol

Mark and stealing ideas. This na telegram feature wey Meta wan adapt.