How to Set Up Your WhatsApp Business Username: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
WhatsApp Business usernames are rolling out gradually in 2026. If the feature is available on your account, you can create a username (@yourbusiness) in under a minute from your mobile device. This guide covers every action you might need to take: creating, changing, deleting, and securing your username with a key, with separate steps for Android and iOS where the navigation differs.
Note: Usernames on WhatsApp Business are not yet available to all accounts. They are rolling out gradually over 2026. Keep WhatsApp Business updated on your device to receive the feature as soon as it becomes available. Creating and editing usernames is currently only available on mobile, not on WhatsApp Web.
Before You Start: Username Rules
Before setting up your username, note the constraints:
Up to 25 characters long
Lowercase letters (a to z) and numbers (0 to 9) only
No spaces or special characters
Each phone number can only have one username
You can change your username, but there is a limit to how many times
Once you change or delete a username, the previous one may become available for others to claim
Your business phone number remains visible on your profile regardless of your username
How to Create a WhatsApp Business Username on Android
Open the WhatsApp Business app on your Android device
Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner
Tap Settings, then Business tools, then Profile
Tap Create username
Enter the username you want (lowercase letters and numbers only)
Tap Save
If you see "This username is not available," the handle is already taken or reserved. Try a variation or use the username generator if available.
Tip: If you want the same username as your Instagram or Facebook business account, link your WhatsApp Business account to your Facebook Page or Instagram Business profile first. Linking confirms you are the legitimate owner and lets you claim the matching handle.
How to Create a WhatsApp Business Username on iOS
Open the WhatsApp Business app on your iPhone
Tap the Tools tab at the bottom of the screen
Tap Profile
Tap Create username, then tap Create username again in the next screen
Enter the username you want
Tap Save, then tap Done
The steps look slightly different from Android because of how iOS app navigation is structured, but the outcome is the same.
How to Change Your WhatsApp Business Username
On Android:
Open WhatsApp Business and go to Settings then Business tools then Profile
Tap Username, then tap Edit, then Change username
Enter your new username
Tap Save
Tap Continue to confirm
On iOS:
Open WhatsApp Business and go to Tools then Profile
Tap Username, then Change username
Enter the username you want
Tap Save
In the popup confirming the change, tap Continue
Important: There is a limit to how many times you can change your username. Once changed, your previous username may become available for others to claim immediately.
How to Delete Your WhatsApp Business Username
On Android:
Go to your business profile and tap Username
Tap Edit
Tap Delete username, then confirm by tapping Delete
On iOS:
Go to Tools then Profile, then tap Username
Tap Edit
Tap Delete username, then confirm
What happens when you delete your username:
Customers who previously saw your @username will now see your phone number when you message them
Your username becomes available for others to claim
People can no longer message you using your username
Your existing chats and chat history are not affected
Deleting your username is permanent in the sense that the specific handle may not be reclaimable. If you change your mind after deleting, someone else may have taken it.
How to Set Up a Username Key
A username key is an optional extra layer of control. When enabled, new customers contacting you via username for the first time need both your username and your key to start a conversation.
Who does not need your key:
Customers you have already chatted with
Customers who have your phone number
Contacts in a shared WhatsApp group with you
Customers who scanned your QR code
Customers you messaged first
On Android:
Go to Settings then Business tools then Profile
Tap Username
Tap Contact me by username
Select People who know my key — this generates your key
To get a different key, tap Get a different key
Tap Save key
On iOS:
Go to Tools then Profile
Tap Username
Tap Contact me by username
Select People who know my key — this generates your key
Tap Save key
Once the key is active, share it alongside your username on any marketing material where customers might use it to contact you. For example: "Message us on WhatsApp: @yourbusiness (key: 1234)"
How to Change Your Username Key
You can reset your key at any time. Resetting generates a new code and stops new contact through the old one. Customers who already have your phone number or have chatted with you are not affected.
On Android:
Go to Username in your profile
Tap Contact me by username
Tap the back arrow
Tap Get a different key — this generates a new key
Tap Save key
Tap back to return to the username tab, where you will see the new key confirmed
On iOS:
Go to Tools then Profile, then Username
Tap Contact me by username, then select People who know my key
Tap Save key
Tap back to the username tab to see your updated key
How to Turn Off the Username Key
If you want anyone who knows your username to be able to contact you without a key:
On Android and iOS:
Go to Username in your profile
Tap Contact me by username
Select Everyone
Confirm you want to remove the key by tapping Remove
Where to Share Your WhatsApp Business Username
A username is only useful if customers know it. Because there is no WhatsApp username directory, discoverability comes entirely from where you share it. Priority places to add your username:
Business cards and stationery ("Chat with us: @yourbusiness")
Packaging and receipts
Your website's contact page and footer
Instagram and Facebook bio and link-in-bio tools
Email signature
In-store signage and display materials
Google Business Profile description
WhatsApp QR code (which can be printed and displayed)
If you are using a username key, always pair the username with the key in any place where new customers are likely to initiate contact: "Message us: @yourbusiness (key: 1234)"
How Username Transfer Works on the WhatsApp Business API
For businesses using the WhatsApp Business API through a platform like Intelli, username transfer is more flexible than on the Business App.
On the API, your username can be transferred to a different phone number within the same business portfolio. This supports situations like:
Migrating from a test number to a production number
Switching carriers while keeping your established username
Consolidating multiple phone numbers under one identity
The username stays the same during the transfer. Contact your API platform provider (Intelli's support team) to initiate a username transfer at the API level.
On the WhatsApp Business App (not the API), usernames can only be transferred by changing your phone number on the same device. Transferring a username to an existing account on a different phone is not supported on the App.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I see the username option in my WhatsApp Business app? The feature is rolling out gradually and may not be available on your account yet. Make sure you are on the latest version of WhatsApp Business. If the option is not visible, it has not reached your account yet. Check again after the next app update.
Can I create my username on WhatsApp Web? No. Creating and editing usernames is only available on the mobile app (Android or iOS) for now. WhatsApp Web does not currently support username management.
What if the username I want is taken? You will see "This username is not available." Try variations such as adding your location, your industry, or a number. For example, if @yourbusiness is taken, try @yourbusinessgh or @yourbusiness1. Note that well-known brand names and their common variations are held by WhatsApp for their legitimate owners.
Will my existing customers notice any change when I create a username? WhatsApp may notify your customers when you create a username. Your existing chats and conversation history are not affected. Customers who have your number can still contact you as before.
Does my username replace my WhatsApp Business display name? No. Your display name, profile photo, description, and all other business profile information stay the same. The username is a separate identifier alongside your display name.
Can I use my business username across multiple WhatsApp numbers? No. Each phone number can only have one username, and each username is tied to one number. If your business operates multiple WhatsApp numbers, each needs its own unique username.
For the full picture on what WhatsApp usernames mean for your business strategy, see WhatsApp Usernames: What They Mean for Your Business. Intelli serves 200+ businesses on the WhatsApp Business API. Start your 7-day free trial.
