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Usernames for companies on WhatsApp

Starting from July 2026, secure your brand identity on WhatsApp by reserving your own @username. Discover what it is, why you should claim it right now, and how to do it step by step without affecting your current operation in Atom. 🚀

🎯 What is a business @username?

It is the visible name (preceded by an "@") of your company on WhatsApp, for example @yourbrand. It works as a unique identifier in addition to your phone number.

  • Business @username: It is the @brand of your official channel (e.g. @atomchat). This is what this article is about.

  • Customer @username: It is the @name of the person who writes to you. (This is a consumer privacy matter).

⚠️ Important: In Atom, reserving your @username does not replace your number. Your phone number will continue to be visible in your company's WhatsApp profile and your current operation does not change in the slightest.

🌟 Why is it good to reserve it now?

Although the name will be activated for the public when Meta decides (estimated for late August or early September 2026), doing it today gives you great advantages:

  • Brand protection: You ensure your company name before someone else registers it.

  • Meta priority: Meta may have names already reserved linked to your Facebook Page, Instagram, or verified name.

  • Greater visibility: When activated for everyone, your business will be much easier to find.

  • Zero disruptions: Doing this process does not affect how you send messages, use your bots, or provide support in Atom today.

⚙️ Step by Step to claim your @username

You have two ways to make this reservation. Choose the one that best suits you:

Option A: From Meta's tools

  1. WhatsApp Manager: Enter your WhatsApp Manager, open the Profile section, look for Username and submit the name you prefer for Meta to approve.

  2. Business Manager: Go to Settings > WhatsApp Accounts. Select your account, open the Profile, click on Phone Numbers and choose the line to which you will assign the @username.

3. Via Meta's API (For technical teams): If your team manages the connection via direct integration with WhatsApp's Cloud API, they can reserve and manage the name following Meta's developer guide.

🔗 Link: Meta Official Documentation - Business usernames: adopting and changing

Note: If you use advanced API integration, your technical team must follow Meta's official documentation.

Option B: Directly from Atom

You can now claim your @username without leaving the platform, both in channels you already have running and when connecting a new one.

If you already have a WhatsApp channel connected:

  1. Go to Settings > Channels (or to the Meta Portfolio).

  2. In the channels table, check the "Name" column. If your channel does not yet have a claimed @username, you will see a warning icon ⚠️ next to the name (even if you already had a custom name).

  3. Click the "Choose username" button next to the marked channel.

  4. A dedicated screen will open where you can enter the name you want.

    • Format rules: It must be between 3 and 30 characters, include at least one letter, use only letters/numbers/hyphens/underscores, and cannot start or end with a period or have two periods in a row.

  5. Can't think of a name? Use the Meta Suggestions button (generated once per session) and choose one by clicking on it.

  6. Press "Check availability" to check availability directly with Meta.

  7. Validation results:

    • Approved: Visible when Meta enables it.

    • Pending approval: "Ready, when it becomes available you will be able to use it".

    • Unavailable: The name has already been taken, you will need to choose another one.

  8. Once approved or reserved, the warning icon disappears from the table and your new @username will automatically update in Conversations, Customers, Campaigns, etc.

💡 Tip: This setting applies only and exclusively to WhatsApp channels.

If you are connecting a new WhatsApp channel:

  1. After validating your phone number, the system will ask you to create the @username as a mandatory step.

  2. Type the name or use Meta's suggestions.

  3. Press "Check availability". (You will not be able to proceed without completing this step).

  4. You will see a notice confirming that both the @username and your number will be visible on your profile.

Note: If you exit the process without finishing, the channel will remain in "pending" status and the system will return you to this same step when you resume it.

🚨 Common error (147005): If this code appears, it means that the name you chose is already registered to another number. You will need to choose a different one.

What happens if I disconnect or delete my channel?

  • Disconnection without deleting in Meta: When reconnecting the channel in Atom, the system will remember your previous @username and keep it preloaded (editable).

  • Complete deletion in Meta: The channel will be treated as a completely new one. The previous @username is unlinked and you will need to reconfigure it. If you claim the same name as before, the system will not show an availability error (since it belongs to you).

👀 How will your customers see your business name?

When a customer opens your profile or starts a chat, WhatsApp will show your identity in this order of importance:

  1. Saved name: If the customer already had you saved in their phone's contacts.

  2. Verified name: If you have the green checkmark of an Official Account.

  3. @username: Your new @yourbrand (when Meta enables it for the public).

  4. Phone number: It remains as a default backup.

🛠️ Frequently Asked Questions and Next Steps

Question

Quick Answer

Do I lose my number if I claim a @username?

No. Your number will continue to be completely visible on WhatsApp.

Does anything change in Atom today?

No. Your inbox, your bots, and your campaigns will continue to work exactly the same.

Can I choose any @name?

Not always. Meta may reject names that are already taken by other pages or Instagram accounts.

What happens if my @username remains "pending"?

It means it is reserved or under review by Meta. This does not pause your sales or support.

Is it urgent to do it today?

We recommend doing it soon to secure your brand, but it is not required to continue operating today.

Recommended next steps:

  • Check if you already have a name reserved in your WhatsApp Manager.

  • If you have multiple phone numbers, repeat the process for each line (it is one @username per number).

⚠️ Caution: Avoid disabling Meta's contact book, as this could delete information irreversibly.

Protect your brand's identity today! 🚀

Reserving your @username on WhatsApp is a quick and safe process that prepares your company for the future, ensuring that your customers find you easily without interrupting your excellent support in Atom. ✅

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