WhatsApp Is Going to Ditch Phone Numbers and Switch to Usernames
Traditionally, WhatsApp requires you to save new contacts from your smartphone. This works great in many situations since many of us eavesdrop on WhatsApp conversations on our phones. However, the downside is that you can’t save new contacts from other devices you might use WhatsApp with, and you risk losing contacts if something happens to your smartphone.
This is especially a problem in an era where WhatsApp wants to be everywhere, with cross-device syncing between your smartphone, web apps and desktop apps. For example, if you wanted to add a new contact while using WhatsApp on your computer, it was very bad: you had to use your smartphone.
However, WhatsApp is now addressing this issue: On Tuesday, the company announced that WhatsApp will soon allow you to add and store your contacts on any device, including the web or desktop app. This means you no longer have to just open a smartphone app. to save contact.
Additionally, WhatsApp will allow you to save contacts directly within the app rather than through your device’s contacts. This can be handy, especially for business users, as WhatsApp now allows you to run two different accounts on the same device. You can save contacts to your business WhatsApp account without overloading your phone’s contact book.
According to WhatsApp, contacts will be stored using a new encrypted storage system called Identity Proof Linked Storage (IPLS) . The system will generate an encrypted key every time you save a contact. Essentially, your saved contacts are protected by encryption: only you can retrieve your contacts from WhatsApp servers.
The post-contact era is coming soon
WhatsApp is also planning to host usernames on its platform. The company envisions that usernames will be more private than traditional contacts because you’ll be able to share a username (which you can edit and control) without revealing your phone number to others. Any chance to keep your phone number private is worth it.
The new contacts feature will begin rolling out gradually over the next few weeks and months, depending on where you are in the world. The username feature is still under development and WhatsApp is yet to provide a basic ETA.