Once WhatsApp's username feature is launched, you'll be able to protect the privacy of your phone number for new contacts.

WhatsApp is introducing usernames, a major privacy feature designed to help you connect with new people without giving away your phone number.  Reserve your username now, before the feature launches ...

You can reserve your username by heading to Settings > Account > Username in the latest version of WhatsApp on Android, or by ...

Claiming your WhatsApp username takes under a minute, but there are a few rules and one important caveat about timing you should understand first.