> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.gallabox.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.gallabox.com/connect-whatsapp-channel/whatsapp-business-username.md).

# WhatsApp Business Username

<figure><img src="/files/7JoRFdAH3PPN3jmSEMqu" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

> **Who can use this?**
>
> * Gallabox users with the **Update Channel** permission.
> * Roles: Admin and Owner only. Other roles see the **Claim** button disabled with a tooltip asking them to contact an admin or owner.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Activity Log is also available to see which user has claimed the user name.
{% endhint %}

### What is a WhatsApp Business Username?

A WhatsApp Business username is a unique handle (like **@mayacakes**) mapped to your WhatsApp business phone number. Once approved by Meta, customers can find and message your business on WhatsApp by searching for your username — they no longer need to know or save your phone number. Your username appears on your business profile across WhatsApp.

Claiming a username does **not** hide your phone number. Customers who have your number can still see and use it.

{% hint style="info" %}
Usernames are available only for WhatsApp channels connected through the **Cloud API** (Meta, Meta Tech Partner, Gupshup, Tata, Karix, Redington, or custom partner). Sandbox channels and channels connected via **WhatsApp Co-existence** cannot claim a username.
{% endhint %}

### Username Statuses

| Status       | Badge colour | What it means                                                                                                                                                    |
| ------------ | ------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Reserved** | Yellow       | Your username request was accepted and the handle is held for you. It becomes visible to WhatsApp users once Meta rolls out the username feature in your region. |
| **Approved** | Green        | Your username is active and visible to your customers on WhatsApp.                                                                                               |

### How to Claim a Username

1. Go to **WhatsApp** in the left nav.
2. Open **Channel Settings** and select your WhatsApp number from the connection dropdown at the top right.
3. In the channel header, find the **Claim username** banner ("Reserve your handle") and click **Claim**.
4. In the **Claim Username** window, pick one of the **Suggested usernames for your business**, or type your own handle in the **Username** field.
5. Click **Claim**.

You'll see a **Username claimed** confirmation, and the banner updates to show your handle with its status — **Username successfully reserved** (yellow) or **Username claimed — visible to your customers** (green).

#### Username rules

Gallabox validates your username before submitting it to Meta:

* 3–24 characters
* Lowercase letters, numbers, periods (`.`), and underscores (`_`) only

Meta applies additional rules on its side — a request that breaks any of these is rejected:

* Must contain at least one letter
* Must not start or end with a period, or contain two consecutive periods
* Must not start with `www`
* Must not end with a domain suffix (`.com`, `.org`, `.net`, `.in`, and so on)
* Case is ignored when comparing usernames, but periods and underscores are not — `mayacakes`, `maya.cakes`, and `maya_cakes` are three different usernames

{% hint style="success" %}
**Pro tip:** If WhatsApp has already reserved a username for you that matches your Facebook Page or Instagram handle, you must link your business phone number to that Page or Instagram account before you can claim it. Do this in Meta Business Suite, or by adding your phone number directly on the Page or Instagram account.
{% endhint %}

### How to Delete a Username

1. In the **Channel Settings** header, find the banner showing your **@username**.
2. Click the **trash icon** on the right of the banner.
3. In the **Delete Username** window, click **Delete**.

Your username is released immediately and is no longer visible to WhatsApp users. You may not be able to reclaim the same handle straight away.

To **change** your username, delete the current one and claim a new one using the steps above.

### Example

**Scenario:** Maya Cakes, a home bakery, runs Instagram ads but customers keep losing the bakery's phone number. The owner wants customers to find the bakery on WhatsApp by name.

1. The account **Owner** opens **WhatsApp → Channel Settings** and selects the **Maya – Gupshup** number.
2. She clicks **Claim** on the **Claim username** banner. The suggestions show **@mayacakes** and **@mayacakesbakery**.
3. She selects **@mayacakes** and clicks **Claim**.
4. The banner turns yellow with **Username successfully reserved**. Once Meta activates usernames in her region, it turns green — and customers can now find the bakery on WhatsApp by searching **@mayacakes**, no phone number needed.

### FAQs

<details>

<summary>I claimed a username but it says "Reserved" — why can't my customers see it?</summary>

**Reserved** means Meta accepted your request and is holding the handle for you, but the username feature hasn't been rolled out in your region yet. It switches to **Approved** and becomes visible automatically once Meta activates the feature — you don't need to do anything.

</details>

<details>

<summary>The Claim button is greyed out for me. Why can't I click it?</summary>

Claiming and deleting usernames requires the **Update Channel** permission, which Admins and Owners have. Ask an admin or owner on your account to claim the username, or to upgrade your role.

</details>

<details>

<summary>I don't see the Claim username banner in Channel Settings at all.</summary>

The banner only appears for WhatsApp channels connected through the Cloud API (Meta, Meta Tech Partner, Gupshup, Tata, Karix, Redington, or a custom partner). It's not available on sandbox channels or numbers connected via WhatsApp Co-existence.

</details>

<details>

<summary>My username was rejected even though it follows the character rules.</summary>

Meta enforces extra rules beyond the character set: the username must contain at least one letter, can't start with "www", can't end with a domain suffix like .com or .in, and can't start/end with a period or contain two consecutive periods. It also fails if the exact handle is already taken by any other WhatsApp number — usernames are unique across all of WhatsApp.

</details>

<details>

<summary>It says the username is already in use by another phone number in my portfolio.</summary>

A username maps to exactly one phone number. If another number in your business portfolio (or your Facebook Page / Instagram account) already holds that handle, either pick a different username, or release it from the other number first. If the handle belongs to your Facebook Page or Instagram account, link your WhatsApp business phone number to that Page or account in Meta Business Suite, then claim it again.

</details>

<details>

<summary>I deleted my username by mistake — can I get it back?</summary>

Claim it again from the same **Claim username** banner. Be aware the handle may not be immediately available for reclaiming after deletion, and another business could claim it in the meantime.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Will claiming a username hide my phone number?</summary>

No. A business username does not hide your business phone number in WhatsApp — customers who have your number can still see it. The username is an additional way for customers to find you.

</details>

### Next Steps

* Complete your WhatsApp profile (display picture, address, business description) in **Channel Settings → Profile** so customers who find you by username see a complete business page
* Add your **@username** to your Instagram bio, website, and marketing material once it shows **Approved**