How to Set Up a WhatsApp Username Key to Control Who Can Message You

WhatsApp usernames are now live, but not yet available everywhere. However, you can still reserve a username now, before the feature fully activates on your account. This is optional, but since usernames are becoming the main way to connect on WhatsApp without sharing phone numbers, reserving yours now could help you get the name you want. While you reserve a username, as explained in an earlier article,you also need to know what a WhatsApp username key is and how to set it up.

A username key is an optional four-digit code that gives you control over who can contact you by your username. When you turn on a username key, people who haven’t messaged you before will need both your username and your key to contact you for the first time. You can share your key with your username when someone new wants to reach you, all while keeping your phone number private.

Setting up your key only takes a few steps, but it is currently limited to mobile devices, meaning that you can’t do this on WhatsApp Web or Desktop yet. Below is how you can create your WhatsApp username key:

1. Update WhatsApp to the latest version on your phone.
2. Open Settings. On Android, tap the three-dot menu (top right) and select Settings. On iPhone, tap the icon (bottom right).
3. Go to Account, then Username. If you haven’t reserved a username yet, you will need to do that first.
4. Tap “Contact me by username.” This is located immediately under your username.
5. Generate your key. WhatsApp will automatically create a four-digit key for you, as you can’t choose your own. However, if you want a different one, tap “Get a different key” to generate a new code.
6. Share your key and your username when connecting with someone for the first time.

You can turn your key off, regenerate it, or remove it entirely at any time from the same process. Note that doing so won’t affect people you have already chatted with.

Your key is only required for people contacting you for the first time by username. The following people don’t need your key:

• People who already have your phone number saved
• People you’ve previously chatted with
• People in a shared group with you
• People who scanned your QR code
• People you messaged first

Creating a username key isn’t currently available on WhatsApp Web or Desktop. If you’d like to create a username key, please use your primary mobile device.

• You can’t manually enter a specific code for your username key; WhatsApp generates it for you. You can tap Get a different key to generate a new one.
• Username keys are optional. You can add, change, or remove your key at any time.
• If you have connected your WhatsApp account to another Meta account that says you’re under 18, your username key will be turned on by default to help protect your privacy. You can change this at any time.
• Creating a username key doesn’t affect existing conversations. People you’ve already chatted with can continue to message you without needing your key.
• You won’t be notified if someone can’t reach you by your username because they don’t have your key.

On WhatsApp, you can message, call, or save someone as a contact with their username. You will need to know their exact username and their key, if they have one set up. Below is how to contact someone by username.

1. In your Chats tab, click to start a new chat.
2. Click the search bar.
3. Type the person’s username. If the username exists, you’ll be able to start a chat with them. You need to type the full, exact username to find someone.
4. Click their username.
5. If they have created a username key, enter it now and tap Next. If you do not know their username key, you will not be able to reach them via username.
6. You’ll see their username and display name in the chat. If you don’t have their phone number saved, you won’t see it.

Some people set up a username key for extra privacy. If this is the case:

• When you try to message them for the first time, you’ll be prompted to enter their key.
• You’ll need to get the key from them (it’s meant to be shared alongside the username).
• Once you’ve entered the correct key, you can message them directly going forward.

You don’t need a key if:

• You already have their phone number saved
• You’ve previously chatted with them
• You’re in a shared group with them
• You scanned their QR code
• They messaged you first

You can share your username with others so they can message you without needing your phone number.

• Share your link: Your username creates a direct link (wa.me/YourUsername) that you can share with others, whether in person, on social media, or on a business card.
• QR code: You can also share your QR code, which now includes your username.