How to reserve your business username

Learn how to reserve a unique business username for your WhatsApp API number, understand naming rules, and secure your handle before regional rollouts.

What's covered

• Why reserve early

• Eligibility requirements

• Username vs. display name vs. phone number

• Username format rules

• What you'll need

• Standard WhatsApp API number, via Meta Business Suite

• Co-existence (coex) numbers

• What happens after you reserve

• Frequently asked questions

Why reserve early

Meta has started rolling out usernames on WhatsApp—a unique @handle businesses can claim so customers can find and message them without needing a phone number.

• Build brand recognition: A memorable @handle makes your business easier to recall and search for directly.

• Stay consistent across Meta: Claim the same username you already use on Instagram or Facebook.

• Protect your name: Usernames are largely first-come, first-served. Reserving early locks in your brand identity before someone else takes it.

Eligibility requirements

Not every account can reserve a username yet. To be eligible, your account must meet both of these requirements:

• Messaging limit: The business portfolio that owns your WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) and phone number must have a messaging limit of at least 2,000 messages per day.

• Trust and quality: Your account must meet WhatsApp's trust and quality requirements.

If your account is not yet eligible, you can try again once it meets these requirements. If you're using the WhatsApp Business App, also make sure you're on the latest version, since the username reservation feature may not appear on older versions even if your account is otherwise eligible.

For more on eligibility, see Meta's official documentation.

Username vs. display name vs. phone number

Display name: What shows up in the chat window. It does not need to be unique, and you can edit it anytime. Username: Your unique @handle (e.g., @YourBusinessName). No two WhatsApp accounts can share one. Phone number: Stays visible on your business profile. Adopting a username adds another way for customers to reach you.

Note: If you want to understand how WhatsApp handles incoming customer identities when they message via usernames, check out our guide on understanding WhatsApp usernames and BSUID in DoubleTick.

Username format rules

Before picking a handle, verify it meets Meta's format requirements:

• Allowed characters: English letters (a to z), digits (0 to 9), periods (.), and underscores (_).

• Unsupported characters: Non-English characters (e.g., ñ, é, ü) are not allowed and will fail.

• Length requirements: Must be between 3 and 35 characters long.

• Letter requirement: Must contain at least one English letter.

• Period rules: Cannot start or end with a period, and cannot contain two consecutive periods.

• Prefix and suffix restrictions: Cannot start with www or end with domain extensions (e.g., .com, .org, .net, .in, .html).

• Case and punctuation: Usernames are case-insensitive (MyBrand and mybrand are identical), but periods and underscores create distinct handles (myid, my.id, and my_id are separate).

Note: Usernames are assigned per phone number. If your business manages multiple WhatsApp numbers, each number requires its own unique handle.

What you'll need

Before reserving your handle, make sure you have:

• Admin permissions for Meta Business Suite or WhatsApp Manager.

• Full control (or manage_phone access) of your Instagram or Facebook Page if you want to match existing handles.

• The latest version of the WhatsApp Business App if managing a co-existence number.

Standard WhatsApp API number, via Meta Business Suite

Follow these steps to reserve a handle for a standard API number. Step 1: Open Meta Business Suite and click WhatsApp accounts in the left sidebar menu. Step 2: Select the phone number you want to set a username for, click Phone numbers, and click the Edit (pencil) icon. Step 3: Scroll to Username, click Create, enter your preferred handle (or select a suggested one), then click Save and Close.

Note: You can also complete this in WhatsApp Manager by going to Phone number > Profile > Username > Create. Changes made in either Meta tool sync automatically.

Co-existence (coex) numbers

If you are using a co-existence setup on mobile, reserve your username directly inside the app. Step 1: Update your WhatsApp Business App to the latest version on iOS or Android. Step 2: Go to Settings > Account and tap Username (or Create/Reserve username). Step 3: Type your desired handle, select an available option or suggestion, and tap Save.

What happens after you reserve

• Exclusive hold: Your username is reserved under your Meta Business account so no other user can claim it.

• Invisible until activation: The handle remains private until the username feature goes live in your operating region.

• Automatic live status: You will receive a notification as soon as the feature activates in your area.

• 60-day protection window: If you change your username later, Meta holds your previous handle for 60 days in case you want to revert back.

Key takeaways

• Usernames provide a direct @handle for customers to search and reach your business without typing a phone number.

• Reserving requires a business portfolio messaging limit of at least 2,000 messages per day and meeting WhatsApp's trust and quality requirements.

• Each WhatsApp number under your brand requires a separate, unique username.

• Reserved usernames are held exclusively under your Meta account and activate automatically upon regional rollout.

Frequently asked questions

Does a username replace my phone number? No. Both your username and phone number stay visible on your business profile, and a phone number is still required for WhatsApp API onboarding and registration.

Can I use the same username as my Instagram or Facebook page? In most cases, yes, as long as it isn't already taken elsewhere. Link the accounts first if it isn't showing up as a suggestion.

I manage multiple WhatsApp numbers. Do they all get the same username? No. Each phone number needs its own unique username, even under the same brand.

Can I change my username later? Yes, anytime. Your previous username is held for 60 days after you change it, so you can reclaim it if needed.

What should I do if my desired handle is unavailable? If your preferred username is taken, try adding a period or underscore, or select one of the system-suggested variations provided during setup.

Why does DoubleTick say my account is not eligible to reserve a username? This means your business portfolio's WABA and phone number don't yet meet Meta's requirements: a messaging limit of at least 2,000 messages per day and WhatsApp's trust and quality standards. Check your current messaging limit, and try reserving again once you meet both requirements.

Related articles

Understanding WhatsApp usernames and BSUIDDisplay name guideOnboard a phone number on CoexistenceHow to check messaging limitsHow to increase your WhatsApp messaging limit