Status: This feature has been extensively spotted in beta versions for both Android and iOS and is expected to be widely available to the public. While your account will still be linked to your phone number in the backend, your phone number won't be visible to new contacts you connect with via username.
Multi-Account Support (Different Numbers on One Device): News from late 2023 (for Android) and early 2025 (for iOS beta) confirms that WhatsApp now supports multiple accounts on a single device.
What this means: You can easily manage two different WhatsApp accounts, each tied to a different phone number, within the same WhatsApp app interface. dual-SIM phones or those who russia whatsapp number data use separate numbers for personal and work communications.
"Phone Number Privacy" in Communities: WhatsApp has introduced a "Phone Number Privacy" feature specifically for Communities.
What this means: In larger WhatsApp Communities, your phone number is now hidden by default from most other members. Only community admins and people who have already saved your number in their contacts will be able to see it. This is a crucial privacy enhancement for larger group settings.
In summary:
Yes, WhatsApp accounts rely on phone numbers. However, the news is constantly evolving to show that WhatsApp is providing users with new ways to be found (usernames) and more control over their phone number's visibility, especially in larger groups and for new connections. This indicates a strong push towards enhanced user privacy and flexibility on the platform.