How to reserve a WhatsApp username

Reserve a WhatsApp username to claim a unique identifier for your business before the feature becomes available in your region. Reserving your username helps protect your preferred business name and makes it easier for customers to recognize your business once usernames are available.

You can reserve your username using either Klaviyo or Meta's WhatsApp Manager — you only need to use one of these methods, not both. Both methods reserve a username for the selected phone number in your WhatsApp Business Account, since Klaviyo's WhatsApp settings connect directly to your Meta account.

Before you begin

Before you reserve a username, keep the following in mind:

• Usernames are unique and can only be assigned to one phone number.
• Usernames are optional. If you want usernames for multiple phone numbers, each number needs its own unique username.
• Reserving a username holds it for your business until Meta rolls out WhatsApp usernames in your country.
• Once usernames are available, your business profile displays your display name, phone number, and username. Your username does not replace your display name.
• To keep your branding consistent across Meta, reserve the same username you use on Facebook or Instagram. When your phone number has no username, Klaviyo shows suggestions from Meta if any are available. You can select a suggestion or enter a custom handle.
• To claim a reserved username already used by your Facebook Page or Instagram account, link your business phone number to that page or account first. See Meta's guidance on reserved usernames.
• Use 3–35 characters, including at least 1 English letter. Only English letters, numbers, periods, and underscores are allowed. Do not start with www, end with a domain suffix such as .com or .org, or put a period at the start, end, or twice in a row.

Reserve a WhatsApp username

Choose one of the following methods to reserve your username.

Option 1: In Klaviyo

1. In Klaviyo, go to Settings > WhatsApp, then select the Sender information tab.
2. In the Reserve your WhatsApp business username banner, select Reserve a username. If the banner is not displayed, open the ⋮ menu next to your phone number and select Edit username.
3. If prompted, choose the phone number you want to reserve a username for.
4. Enter the username you want to reserve in Custom handle, or select an available suggestion under Suggested by Meta and auto-approved.
5. Select Save changes.
6. If Transfer username to this number appears, the handle is already used by another number in your business portfolio. Transferring removes it from that number and checks it with Meta for the selected number. Select Transfer username to proceed, or Cancel to keep it on the original number.

After Meta accepts the username, the dialog closes and the username appears with the phone number in Klaviyo. If Meta says the username is unavailable, choose another. If it asks you to link a Facebook Page or Instagram account, follow the link in the error message, then try saving again.

Option 2: In Meta's WhatsApp Manager

1. Open WhatsApp Manager. See Meta's guidance on reserved usernames for its requirements.
2. Select Phone numbers.
3. Select the phone number you want to reserve a username for.
4. Select Profile.
5. Scroll to Username, then click Create.
6. Enter the username you want to reserve, or select one from the suggested usernames.
7. Click Save.

What happens after you reserve a username?

After you reserve your username:

• Your username is held for your business, so another business can't claim it.
• Your username becomes available after Meta enables WhatsApp usernames in your country.
• Meta notifies you when your reserved username is ready to use.

Change your WhatsApp username

After you change your username, your previous username is reserved for 60 days. During this time, only your business can reclaim it. Other businesses can't use your previous username until the 60-day hold ends.

Choose one of the following methods to change your username.

Option 1: In Klaviyo

1. In Klaviyo, go to Settings > WhatsApp.
2. Select the Sender information tab.
3. Find the phone number you want to update, then select the ⋮ menu next to it.
4. Select Edit username.
5. Enter your new username in Custom handle.
6. Select Save changes.
7. If Transfer username to this number appears, the handle is already used by another number in your business portfolio. Transferring removes it from that number and checks it with Meta for the selected number. Select Transfer username to proceed, or Cancel to keep it on the original number.

Option 2: In Meta's WhatsApp Manager

1. Open WhatsApp Manager.
2. Select Phone numbers.
3. Select the phone number you want to update.
4. Select Profile.
5. Scroll to Username, then click Edit.
6. Enter your new username.
7. Click Save.