WhatsApp Introduces Built-In Contact Manager and Hints at Future Username Feature

by Kay Lee

WhatsApp is set to launch a new built-in contact manager that will allow users to store contacts directly within the app, independent of their phone’s address book. This update, which first rolls out on WhatsApp Web and the Windows app, ensures users don’t lose contacts when switching devices or managing multiple accounts.

This new contact-saving capability is backed by Identity Proof Linked Storage (IPLS), an advanced encrypted storage method that keeps contacts secure and accessible only to the user. Future updates also hint at introducing usernames, allowing users to connect without sharing their phone number, a privacy feature already seen in apps like Signal and Telegram.

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Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, will gradually roll out this feature, starting with third-party chat integration and expanding to include rich messaging features such as reactions, typing indicators, and read receipts.
The Internet ProtocolKay Lee

Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, has not yet specified when the username feature will be available but confirms it is actively under development.