India, April 9 -- WhatsApp is preparing to change the way people connect on its platform with the rollout of a long-awaited username feature that will allow users to chat without sharing their phone numbers.

The username system is expected to work across Android, iOS, Windows, and Web versions of WhatsApp. Once fully launched, it will give users the option to create unique usernames linked to their accounts, making it easier to communicate securely while keeping mobile numbers private.

To access the feature, eligible users will see a dedicated "Username" option in their WhatsApp profile settings. The setup process is designed to be simple, allowing users to choose a preferred handle and connect with others through that username instead ...