Meta is preparing a historic update for WhatsApp that promises to forever change the way we communicate via mobile.

Written by Flavia Marinho

Published on 11/04/2026 at 21:00

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Meta tests on WhatsApp an update that allows using a username instead of a phone number, expands privacy, and advances with artificial intelligence features to summarize unread messages.

WhatsApp may be about to undergo one of the most significant changes in its history. Meta is testing a new system that will allow conversations using unique usernames, without exposing the phone number in all interactions. This new feature is being referred to as a possible “ghost mode” for the app and reinforces the company’s commitment to more privacy and convenience. According to recent reports on the testing versions, the username feature is in advanced development and is expected to gradually gain traction throughout 2026.

Currently, the phone number is still the basis of identity on WhatsApp. With the new proposal, this is starting to change. The idea is to allow each user to have a unique identifier, similar to what already happens on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. In practice, this paves the way for starting conversations and even calls without needing to directly disclose the personal number.

Phone number no longer the only entry point

The main shift lies in the use of unique usernames. This system can reduce the exposure of the phone number in contacts with strangers, clients, event attendees, and professional relationships. The account registration remains linked to the number, but daily interaction tends to become less dependent on it. This changes the dynamics of the app and may reduce risks related to spam, scams, and unwanted contacts.

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Enhanced privacy becomes the focus of the update

The promise behind the nickname “ghost WhatsApp” is precisely the enhancement of privacy. By allowing interactions without displaying the phone number in all situations, the app gives more control to the user. This change can be crucial for those using the app in public, commercial, or professional environments, where keeping the number restricted is a constant concern.

Additionally, WhatsApp has been testing extra mechanisms to make contact with strangers safer. Among them are signs of a complementary system linked to the username and features that help identify unknown accounts before the conversation progresses. The goal is to make the platform more secure without losing the agility that has made the app one of the most used in the world.

Artificial intelligence fully enters the daily life of the app

The update is not expected to stop at privacy. WhatsApp is also advancing in the use of artificial intelligence to summarize unread messages. In busy groups or long conversations, the feature promises to provide a quick overview of what has happened, without the user needing to read everything manually. This system uses Private Processing technology, created by Meta to process this type of request with a focus on confidentiality.

This move shows that Meta wants to transform WhatsApp into something bigger than a traditional messenger. The company is trying to combine conversation, privacy, organization, and AI assistance within the same environment. For the user, this could mean less time wasted and more control over what really matters in the app.

Release is still gradual and surrounded by expectation

For now, the features are still in testing and have not been widely rolled out to all users. Some functions appear in beta versions or are under development, which means adjustments may still occur before the final launch. Nevertheless, the frequency and evolution of these tests show that Meta treats the package as a strategic change for the future of WhatsApp.

This transition also requires attention. Choosing a username, for example, can affect privacy, public recognition, and even digital security. The closer WhatsApp gets to a logic of public identity, the more important it becomes to be careful with exposure, verification, and responsible use of information. This applies to both ordinary people and brands, companies, and public figures.

What changes in practice for WhatsApp users

If the update is implemented on a large scale, WhatsApp will no longer depend as much on the phone number as the primary identity. The app may start to function more like a private social network, where the user better chooses how they want to be found, who they want to talk to, and what data they wish to show.

This is the point that makes the new feature so relevant. It is not just about a new button or a visual adjustment. It is a structural change in the way millions of people can connect within the app. And, if the current tests move forward, the so-called “ghost mode” could usher in a new phase for WhatsApp.

If you would use this new feature on WhatsApp, leave your comment and share this post with anyone who also wants more privacy in the app.

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Meta is preparing a historic update for WhatsApp that promises to forever change the way we communicate via mobile.

Meta tests on WhatsApp an update that allows using a username instead of a phone number, expands privacy, and advances with artificial intelligence features to summarize unread messages.

Phone number no longer the only entry point

Enhanced privacy becomes the focus of the update

Artificial intelligence fully enters the daily life of the app

Release is still gradual and surrounded by expectation

What changes in practice for WhatsApp users

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Meta is preparing a historic update for WhatsApp that promises to forever change the way we communicate via mobile.

Meta tests on WhatsApp an update that allows using a username instead of a phone number, expands privacy, and advances with artificial intelligence features to summarize unread messages.

Phone number no longer the only entry point

Enhanced privacy becomes the focus of the update

Artificial intelligence fully enters the daily life of the app

Release is still gradual and surrounded by expectation

What changes in practice for WhatsApp users

On the Greek island of Ithaca, archaeologists have found what may be a sanctuary dedicated to the legendary Odysseus, with inscriptions bearing his name and votive offerings that span from the Mycenaean to the Hellenistic era.

Scientists enter a narrow, flooded cave 500 meters deep and find giant dinosaur footprints on the ceiling measuring up to 1.25 meters, preserved in such a rare way that a new type of trace had to be created.

After two years of internal discussions, Paraguay has finally regulated the law that opens the country to foreign technology and service companies with tax incentives that promise to create thousands of jobs and change the economy.

Map reveals how the Earth may look in 250 million years: continents will reunite in the Last Pangaea, 92% of the planet could become uninhabitable for mammals, and Spain appears among the rare possible exceptions.

Why fighter pilots never return after ejecting: the seat launches the body at 600 km/h in 1 second, compresses the spine, reduces G tolerance, and leads to medical disqualification, not punishment.

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A giant half-ton ring fell in Kenya from space, and more than a year later, scientists still do not know where it came from.

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