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You may soon be able to search for people via "Push Names"

According to certain reports, WhatsApp has been testing a feature that will let users search for other people via usernames.

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Almost every instant messaging application such as Telegram and WeChat have the username feature. People can be found and added via their username alone without any other parameters.

However, other instant messaging platforms (read: WhatsApp) require a mobile phone number and a mobile phone number alone. You cannot contact someone else on the platform if you don't have their phone number.

That may change in the coming months, if media reports are anything to go by. According to certain reports, WhatsApp has been testing a feature that will let users search for other people via usernames. Cool, right?

According to @WABetaInfo, a Twitter account dedicated to tracking everything that has to do with WhatsApp, the Facebook-owned company has been testing this feature for some time. WhatsApp will not be using usernames but instead something it calls "Push Names."

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Push Names are the names you put when setting up your WhatsApp account for the first time, or on a new device. Push names can be changed and edited under the Profile section of WhatsApp's settings menu.

With Push Names, users will  be able to search for other users and start a conversation. For example, if you do not have someone's mobile phone number, you can go to the search bar on WhatsApp and search their push name. Their profile will show up and you will be able to interact with them. At least that’s how it is expected to work. It may be different when it does become available.

Techweez reports that the feature is being tested on both Android and iOS. Stay with Pulse Tech to keep you posted on the feature if and when it does become available.

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