WhatsApp has started rolling out its new username reservation feature to a small group of users just a few days after introducing it.
The feature, first announced last month, allows users to reserve a unique username before it becomes available to everyone.
To reserve a username, users need to open Settings, go to Account, and then tap Username. They can also choose their privacy settings, including whether anyone with their username can contact them or whether new contacts must enter a four-digit PIN along with the username.
If the selected username is already linked to a Facebook or Instagram account, WhatsApp may ask users to verify that they own the account.
The company said this step is designed to prevent the misuse of well-known usernames and reduce the risk of impersonation and scams.
According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp has started activating reserved usernames for a limited number of accounts. Users included in the initial rollout will see a banner at the top of their chat list confirming that their username is active and ready to be shared with new contacts.
Reports suggest the feature is being rolled out to both beta testers and regular WhatsApp users, although it is currently available to only a small number of accounts.
Users can check whether they have access by looking for the banner at the top of their chat list or by opening the Username section in their profile.
If the feature is available, WhatsApp will confirm that the username is active. Otherwise, users will see a message saying usernames will be available soon.
