Currently, in order to communicate with someone on WhatsApp, users must first save that person’s phone number in their device’s contact list. Only after doing so does the number appear on WhatsApp, allowing messaging or connection through a QR code.
However, WhatsApp is preparing to roll out a new update that will simplify this process. The upcoming feature will allow users to search for and add new contacts directly within WhatsApp—without having to go through the phone’s contact book.
This means users will be able to manage and add contacts using WhatsApp Web or the desktop app for Windows, making it easier for those who use multiple WhatsApp accounts on one device to separate and manage their contacts according to personal or professional use.
Additionally, users will no longer risk losing contacts when switching phones. Once WhatsApp is reinstalled on a new device, all the contacts linked to the account will automatically sync and reappear.
Another highly anticipated feature is the introduction of usernames, which will allow people to log in and communicate on WhatsApp without sharing their phone numbers.
This change will significantly enhance privacy and data protection, letting users connect and chat even if they don’t exchange phone numbers — similar to how Facebook and Instagram operate.
The update enabling users to manage contacts directly through WhatsApp is expected to roll out in the coming weeks, while the username-based login system has no official release date yet, though reports suggest it could launch by early 2026.
