WhatsApp usernames:Your list may soon lose its phone numbers.
WhatsApp is adding optional usernames and a new user ID. Here is what Meta says, and a three step check.
By Madhur Tyagi
· 8 min read · Facts checked 6 Nov 2026
Quick answer
What must Indian businesses do about WhatsApp usernames and BSUID? Meta says usernames are optional for people, and a new business-scoped user ID (BSUID) is sent with every message whether or not someone adopts one. Supporting BSUID is required for directly integrated businesses and click to WhatsApp advertisers. Store the new ID next to the phone number, ask for a phone number when needed, and reserve your brand username. Meta says details can change.
In short, for busy readers and AI answers
- Change?
- Optional usernames and a new user ID, BSUID.
- Required?
- For direct integrations and click to WhatsApp advertisers.
- Risk?
- Not processing messages from people with usernames.
- Your name?
- Reserve it. It does not hide your number.
- Method?
- Store, Ask, Reserve.
Key takeaways
- Usernames are optional. If a person adopts one, the app shows it instead of their phone number.
- The BSUID is sent in message webhooks whether or not a person adopted a username. Meta began sharing it in April 2026.
- Supporting BSUID is required for direct integrations and click to WhatsApp advertisers.
- A business username does not hide your business phone number.
- A request contact info button lets a person share their number in the chat.
Written by Madhur Tyagi, founder of The Human Algorithm. 8+ years, 25+ brands, since 2017.
Scope note: Facts come from Meta’s developer page on business-scoped user IDs, read 6 Nov 2026. Meta says the details are subject to change and that a reserved username becomes active once the feature is made available. We did not test this on a live account.
Picture Karan, who runs a coaching business from Delhi. All his students are saved in a sheet by phone number.
One day a student messages from a username and his sheet cannot find them.
WhatsApp is adding usernames. Meta says that if you cannot read the new ID, you may lose the ability to process some messages.
Here is what Meta says, what to check this week and five notes you can send your team.
What Meta says is changing
These points come from Meta’s developer page on business-scoped user IDs, read 6 November 2026.
| Change | What Meta says | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Usernames | A username is optional. If a person adopts one, the app shows it instead of their phone number. | You may soon see a name where you used to see a number. |
| The new ID | A business-scoped user ID, or BSUID, identifies a person for your business. It appears in message webhooks whether or not the person turned on a username. Meta began sharing it in April 2026. | Your tools will receive an ID that is not a phone number. |
| Who must support it | Supporting BSUID is required for partners, directly integrated businesses and click to WhatsApp advertisers. | If your chats come from ads, this applies to you. |
| Your own username | You can reserve one in WhatsApp Manager, Meta Business Suite or through the Username API. It becomes active once the feature is made available. A business username does not hide your business number. | Reserve your brand name early. It is not a privacy tool. |
Reality check
“Usernames matter to big brands alone.”
Meta says supporting the new ID is required for businesses that connect directly and for click to WhatsApp advertisers. Because you cannot control whether customers adopt usernames, Meta says you must support it or risk not being able to process their messages.
The Store, Ask, Reserve Check
Three jobs, in this order.
Save this framework
The Store, Ask, Reserve Check
Store it · ask for it · reserve it
Save it, or send it to a founder friend
Send on WhatsApp
1. Store
Check where you save customer chats: your sheet, your CRM, your helpdesk. If the sole key is a phone number, add a second column for the new ID. Ask whoever built your setup if it reads the new ID that Meta now sends.
2. Ask
You may no longer see a phone number for every person. Meta offers a request contact info button for templates and interactive messages. If the person taps it, their number is shared in the chat. Use it when you really need the number, such as for a delivery call.
3. Reserve
Reserve your brand name as a business username. If the name is already used on your Facebook Page or Instagram account, Meta says you must link your business number to that Page or account before you claim the name.
Tool: how exposed is your list?
Type your own numbers. One minute.
Tool · List readiness check
How exposed is your customer list?
Type your own numbers. Nothing leaves your phone.
Our planning tool. Not a Meta measure.
5 notes for this change
Free kit: 5 notes to get ready
1 · The developer question
Does our WhatsApp setup read the business-scoped user ID that Meta sends, and do we store it next to the phone number?
2 · The list check note
We have [number] saved chats. [number] are saved by phone number alone. Add a column for the new ID.
3 · The number request line
To call you about your delivery, may we have your phone number? Tap the button below to share it.
4 · The username note
We want to reserve [brand name] as our business username. Link our business number to the [Page or Instagram] account before we claim it.
5 · The team note
You may see a name instead of a number in chats. Do not ask people to type their number unless the order needs it.
This is a general guide based on Meta’s developer page, which says its details can change. Check it again before you act.
Questions Indian businesses ask about WhatsApp usernames
What is a WhatsApp username?
An optional unique name a person can set so the app shows it instead of their phone number, per Meta.
What is a BSUID?
A business-scoped user ID. It identifies a person for your business and appears in message webhooks, whether or not the person turned on a username.
Who must support BSUID?
Meta says partners, directly integrated businesses and click to WhatsApp advertisers.
Will a business username hide my number?
No. Meta says business usernames are not intended for privacy.
How do I get a customer phone number?
Meta offers a request contact info button. If the person taps it, their number is shared in the chat.
Store it. Ask for it. Reserve it.
About this guide: sources, all read 6 Nov 2026. Meta, WhatsApp business-scoped user IDs.
THA Circle
Use AI. Still sound human.
A free WhatsApp channel for founders, coaches and creators who want AI to save time without losing the human touch.
- On joining A welcome pack: 3 AI prompts and 5 chat scripts you can copy today.
- Monday A short script for your own chats. Ten minutes to try.
- Wednesday One real chat taken apart, names removed.
- Friday Human of the Week. A moment a customer felt seen.
Free. Takes ten seconds. Channel followers stay private. Leave any time.
The Sunday note
How people pay attention, and how to earn it. One email a week.
I study AI, attention, human psychology and marketing. Every Sunday I send one idea and one script for your chats. Five minutes to read. Reply any time, I read every answer.
Get the Sunday noteFree. Leave any time. Your email stays private.
WhatsApp
Human AI
Follow up