WhatsApp is developing a new privacy feature that will give users greater control over who can see their phone numbers during calls and chats.
The upcoming feature will allow users to manage phone number visibility through four different privacy options. It was discovered in WhatsApp beta version 2.26.45.1 for Android.
The new controls are linked to WhatsApp’s username system, which aims to let people communicate without sharing their personal phone numbers.
Under the proposed settings, users will be able to choose from the following four options:
- Everyone: Allows all users to see the phone number.
- My Contacts: Makes the number visible only to saved contacts.
- My Contacts Except: Allows users to hide their numbers from selected contacts.
- Nobody: Prevents other users from viewing the phone number through the new visibility setting.
The default option is expected to be “Nobody”, allowing users to keep their numbers private without making additional changes.
However, the feature will have an important limitation. People who already know and have saved a user’s phone number will continue to see it. The new controls are mainly designed to manage visibility for people who connect through usernames. WABetaInfo+1
WhatsApp announced its username initiative in June 2026 as part of efforts to improve privacy. The feature is designed to let users connect with new people without immediately sharing their phone numbers.
The company has also allowed users to reserve their preferred usernames ahead of the wider rollout. A username will provide an alternative way to identify and contact someone on the platform.
The development could be particularly useful for businesses, online communities and people who regularly communicate with unfamiliar contacts.
For example, users may choose to share their numbers with saved contacts while keeping them hidden from other people who contact them through usernames.
Despite the potential benefits, the new phone number visibility controls remain under development. They are not yet available even to beta testers, and WhatsApp has not announced an official release date.
The feature is expected to undergo further testing before a possible wider rollout. Its final design and availability may change before public release.
