WhatsApp Username reservations have started rolling out to a limited number of users, giving them the opportunity to secure a unique username before the feature becomes widely available. The update follows the company’s announcement of the feature last month and aims to improve privacy while reducing impersonation and scams.

To reserve a username, users can open Settings, select Account, and tap Username. The feature also allows users to choose privacy options, including whether anyone with their username can contact them or whether new contacts must enter a four-digit PIN before sending a message.

If a selected username matches one linked to a Facebook or Instagram account, WhatsApp may ask the user to verify ownership. The company said this verification process helps prevent misuse of well-known usernames and protects users from impersonation and fraudulent activity.

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According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp has begun activating reserved usernames for a small number of accounts. Users included in the initial rollout will see a banner at the top of their chat list confirming that their username is active and ready to share with new contacts.

Reports indicate that WhatsApp is making the feature available to both beta testers and some regular users. However, only a limited number of accounts can access it during the early rollout phase.

Users can check whether they have received the feature by looking for the notification banner at the top of their chat list or by opening the Username section in their profile settings.

If the feature is available, WhatsApp will confirm that the username is active. Users who do not yet have access will see a message stating that usernames will become available soon.

The phased rollout suggests that WhatsApp is testing the feature on a small scale before expanding it to users worldwide.