WhatsApp is set to roll out a new feature that will allow users to start conversations without sharing their phone numbers.

Under this change, users can reserve a unique username starting this week, so that once the feature is officially launched later this year, they can use it to send messages.

The feature is being introduced by Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, and is intended to increase user privacy. The change could be one of WhatsApp’s most significant updates in recent years.