WhatsApp has launched a new campaign featuring Aamir Khan to introduce its upcoming usernames feature, which will let users connect without sharing their mobile numbers.
Built around the idea of simplifying how people start conversations, the film titled ‘Same number, new name, more privacy’ shows two women debating whether to exchange phone numbers after meeting, before Khan introduces the option of using a WhatsApp username instead.
The campaign highlights usernames as an alternative way to connect on the platform, positioning it as a more flexible approach to initiating chats.
Watch the campaign
The feature is currently rolling out in phases, with users expected to be able to reserve their preferred usernames ahead of a wider release. Usernames can include lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and must be between three and 35 characters long. An optional username key has also been added for additional control over who can initiate conversations.
Businesses, creators, and organisations will also be able to align their WhatsApp usernames with identities across Meta platforms, enabling more consistency across services like Instagram and Facebook.
