WhatsApp has announced enhancements to its contact management features, allowing users to add and manage contacts from any device. Previously, contact management was limited to mobile devices, requiring users to input phone numbers or scan QR codes. The update will soon enable users to manage contacts via WhatsApp Web and Windows, with plans to expand to other linked devices. Meta has revealed some exciting new features coming to WhatsApp, making it simpler to add and manage contacts. 

Soon, users will be able to privately add and manage their contacts, no matter what device they’re using. While the messaging platform already offers cross-platform support, users were able to add a new contact only via the primary Android phone or iOS handset — by adding a phone number or scanning a QR code. 

It's particularly a problem in the age when WhatsApp wants to be everywhere, with cross-device syncing between users' smartphone, web, and desktop apps. If users wanted to add a new contact while using WhatsApp on their computer, for example, too bad: Users needed to use their smartphone.

Now, however, WhatsApp is fixing the issue: The company announced on Tuesday that WhatsApp will soon let users add and store their contacts on any device, including the web or the desktop app, meaning they will no longer need to open their smartphone app just to save a contact. This can be handy, especially for business users, now that WhatsApp lets users run two different accounts on one device. Users can save contacts to their business WhatsApp account without crowding their phone's contact book. According to WhatsApp, the contacts will be saved using a new encrypted storage system called Identity Proof Linked Storage (IPLS). 

The system will generate an encrypted key every time users save a contact. In effect, their saved contacts are protected by encryption: Only users can retrieve their contacts from WhatsApp's servers. In a press release, WhatsApp notes that users will soon be able to add and manage contacts through WhatsApp Web and also through Windows platforms or their preferred devices, like Android tablets. In some cases, users would want a certain contact only on WhatsApp and not as a contact on their phone contacts list. The messaging platform also adds such possibility, making handling personal and business numbers easier.

It helps when people have more than one account on their device. WhatsApp adds that contacts saved on the messaging platform can be readily restored when a user switches devices, which will be useful if they lose their smartphones and phone numbers. The messaging platform's primary aim with the introduction of these new capabilities is to eventually "manage and save contacts by usernames." Usernames aren't new, and most Android apps and even Meta-owned apps like Instagram utilize them. 

They create a unique identity for a person, irrespective of their phone number. This is an extra layer of privacy on the platform, which is likely to be coming soon to WhatsApp. Future updates will include the ability to manage contacts using usernames, enhancing privacy by eliminating the need to share phone numbers. This development aims to provide users with greater control and security over their contact information. WhatsApp is undergoing significant changes, moving toward implementing usernames as an alternative to traditional phone numbers for managing contacts on its platform. This transition marks a strategic effort to offer users more privacy and flexibility in their communication. 

One of the key benefits of this new approach is the convenience it provides to users who maintain multiple WhatsApp accounts on a single device. The introduction of usernames will streamline account management, allowing users to distinguish between different accounts more easily. Furthermore, when switching devices, users will find it simpler to restore contacts, even if they have lost access to their original smartphone or phone number. This added capability ensures continuity and simplifies the process of transitioning between devices. 

WhatsApp's long-term vision for this initiative is to enable contact management through usernames rather than relying solely on phone numbers. By doing so, the platform aims to enhance user privacy and offer more control over personal information. This shift will allow individuals to share their WhatsApp contact details without disclosing their phone number, thereby reducing the risks associated with sharing sensitive information and improving overall user security. 

The use of usernames as unique identifiers is not a novel concept in the tech world; many popular Android applications, including Meta-owned platforms like Instagram, have successfully integrated username-based systems for contact management. This model not only fosters a more secure environment but also allows users to establish a distinct identity separate from their phone number. In upcoming updates, WhatsApp is expected to further expand these capabilities by enabling more comprehensive contact management through usernames. 

The new features will likely include options for managing contacts and other privacy settings more intuitively, reinforcing the messaging platform's commitment to providing a more secure and user-friendly experience. As WhatsApp adopts these changes, it sets the stage for a more privacy-focused approach, empowering users to protect their contact information while maintaining the convenience of seamless communication. With these updates, WhatsApp continues to position itself at the forefront of secure and versatile communication technology. 

By embracing usernames and enhancing cross-device functionality, the platform not only addresses the evolving needs of its users but also anticipates future trends in digital privacy and convenience. The introduction of encrypted contact storage and flexible management options further solidifies WhatsApp's commitment to protecting user data while streamlining the user experience. As the platform gradually shifts away from phone number dependency, it ushers in a new era where privacy, security, and usability are given paramount importance, setting a standard for other messaging services to follow.