WhatsApp to Introduce New Phone Number Privacy Settings: How They Will Work
WhatsApp is developing new privacy controls that will allow users to decide who can see their phone numbers during chats and calls.
The upcoming feature could make it easier for people in Pakistan and other countries to communicate without sharing their personal mobile numbers.
According to WABetaInfo, the feature was discovered in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.45.1.
However, the new settings remain under development and are not yet available to beta testers.
How Will WhatsApp’s New Phone Number Privacy Feature Work?
The planned controls will introduce four options for managing phone number visibility.
| Privacy Setting | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Everyone | Allows other users to see your phone number |
| My Contacts | Makes your number visible to saved contacts |
| My Contacts Except | Lets you exclude selected contacts |
| Nobody | Hides your number from people who do not already know it |
The settings will apply to users who have enabled WhatsApp usernames.
Importantly, people who already have your phone number will continue to see it.
WhatsApp reportedly plans to make “Nobody” the default option for users with usernames.
How to Reserve a WhatsApp Username
WhatsApp introduced username reservations in June 2026, allowing users to secure a preferred name before the feature becomes widely available.
According to WhatsApp’s official announcement, eligible users can reserve a username through:
WhatsApp → Settings → Account → Username
If the Username option is unavailable, the feature may not have reached your account or region.
WhatsApp says usernames are optional, and users will still need a phone number to register an account.
Will WhatsApp Hide Your Number From Everyone?
Not completely.
When users communicate through usernames, their phone numbers can remain hidden from people who do not already have them.
However, existing contacts who already know their numbers will retain access.
The upcoming controls will also allow users to make their numbers visible to selected people.
WhatsApp is developing a confirmation warning for privacy changes that could reset existing exceptions.
Why This Feature Matters for Pakistani Users
The update could benefit Pakistani freelancers, online sellers, students and professionals who frequently communicate with unfamiliar contacts.
Using a WhatsApp username could reduce the need to share a personal number when starting conversations.
The feature may also help users separate professional communication from personal contact information.
However, usernames will not eliminate online scams, unwanted messages or other privacy risks.
When Will the New WhatsApp Privacy Settings Launch?
WhatsApp has not announced an official release date for the additional controls.
The feature remains under development, and its availability in Pakistan has not been confirmed.
Users should keep WhatsApp updated and check the app’s privacy settings for future changes.