WhatsApp Beta Tests Phone Number Privacy Controls for Calls and Chats

WhatsApp is developing a fresh privacy feature that would give users greater control over who can see their phone number during calls and chats, according to details uncovered in a recent beta build. The tool was spotted by WABetaInfo in WhatsApp beta version 2.26.45.1 for Android, and it expands on the username system the platform began rolling out earlier.

The username feature, introduced in June, is designed to let people communicate without revealing their phone numbers. Usernames have not been fully released to all users yet, but WhatsApp already allows people to reserve a preferred username in advance so it is ready when the feature goes live.

Under the feature being tested, users would get four visibility options for their phone number. 'Everyone' would let anyone view the number; 'My contacts' would limit it to saved contacts; 'My contacts except…' would hide it from selected people; and 'Nobody' would conceal the number from other users altogether. These settings would apply to how the number appears in both calls and chats.

The controls only take effect for accounts that have set up a WhatsApp username. People who already have a user's phone number saved or know it from elsewhere will still be able to see it, so the feature is aimed at protecting numbers from being exposed to new contacts. WhatsApp currently hides phone numbers from anyone who first makes contact through a username.

Notably, the default visibility setting under the new system will be 'Nobody,' meaning users who want to keep their numbers private will not need to adjust anything after the feature arrives. The feature remains in testing and WhatsApp has not announced a release date, so the final design and availability could change before it reaches the wider user base.