A comparable username search feature is already present in the Telegram messaging application.
WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature that is expected to allow users to exercise more privacy when using WhatsApp Web. It may soon be unnecessary for users to share their phone numbers with others to connect with them on the instant messaging platform. The firm is reportedly developing a feature that will allow users to search for others on the platform by their usernames. The messaging client has previously been tipped to be working on the feature for Android users. Now, it is being reported that the feature may soon make its way to WhatsApp Web.
A report by WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo states that WhatsApp is working on a feature for its Web client that is expected to allow a user to connect with others on the platform by looking up their usernames. Right now, people need to exchange phone numbers to connect on WhatsApp. The purported feature will help users connect with others without compelling them to share their numbers with people with whom they do not want to share them.
The username-based search on WhatsApp is expected to enhance privacy and encourage more secure communication without having to compromise any personal details. A screenshot of the work-in-progress feature shared in the report shows that once it is available, users can connect with anyone by searching for the name, phone number or username.
Telegram, a rival cloud-based instant messaging platform, already offers a similar feature. WhatsApp has been previously rumored to be developing a username-based search feature for its Android version. The latest report suggests that this feature is anticipated to be rolled out for WhatsApp Web users in a future update.
Interestingly, just a day prior, reports surfaced about WhatsApp working on a feature enabling users to create usernames directly from the WhatsApp Web application. Users are expected to have the flexibility to change their WhatsApp username at any time, as per the previous report.