WhatsApp’s new update outshines Apple’s RCS upgrade on iPhone—here's what the new feature is

As Apple prepares to bring fully encrypted RCS messaging to iPhones, WhatsApp is moving first with features that go beyond standard texting privacy. The latest update focuses on keeping phone numbers hidden and making chats more temporary, strengthening its position in the messaging race, as per a report by Forbes.

ALSO READ: Spanish Proverb of the Day: 'A Tree Born Crooked Never Straightens Its Trunk'—A timeless reflection on character and habit

Why are usernames such a big privacy upgrade?

WhatsApp’s newest feature allows users to create usernames, meaning they no longer need to share their actual phone numbers when adding contacts or starting chats. This marks a significant privacy improvement and mirrors options already available on Signal and Telegram, as per a report by Forbes.

For users concerned about security, this change can be a game-changer. It reduces the risk of exposing personal numbers and helps maintain a stronger layer of privacy during everyday conversations.

ALSO READ: Midnight meltdown: Trump’s Pope Leo posts ignite 25th Amendment demands—will he be impeached?

How do disappearing texts improve security?

Another major update is the expansion of disappearing content. WhatsApp already allows users to send “view once” photos and videos, and now reports suggest it is testing a similar feature for text messages, as per a report by Forbes.

As WABetaInfo noted, “A new special button placed next to the chat bar” may soon allow users to send texts that vanish immediately after being opened. "Sending a view once text. But what’s a view once text? As you can imagine, the view once text will disappear from the conversation when the recipient opens it," WABetaInfo noted.

This builds on WhatsApp’s existing disappearing chat options, where conversations can automatically delete after a set period. The feature makes messaging feel more like a real-life conversation that doesn’t leave a permanent trail.

ALSO READ: Adele's Acting Debut: Can the music icon conquer hollywood in 'Cry to Heaven'?

Why is WhatsApp pushing back against RCS?

The timing of this update is especially important as Apple and Google move toward encrypted cross-platform RCS messaging for billions of users.

While RCS improves traditional texting, WhatsApp still offers privacy benefits that standard messaging cannot match, particularly number protection and disappearing messages.

At the same time, criticism around backup security continues. Pavel Durov wrote, “WhatsApp’s ‘E2E encryption by default’ claim is a giant consumer fraud,” arguing that many backups remain stored in plain text on Apple and Google cloud servers.

“~95% of private messages on WhatsApp end up in plain-text backups on Apple/Google servers — not E2E-encrypted. Backup encryption is optional, and few people enable it — let alone use strong passwords.”

This concern highlights an ongoing issue: even encrypted chats can become vulnerable once backed up externally, as per a report by Forbes.

With usernames, disappearing texts, and stronger control over visibility, WhatsApp is clearly positioning itself as the privacy-first alternative as the messaging war intensifies.

ALSO READ: Big break ahead in Nancy Guthrie case? Detective says kidnappers may have made critical health error

FAQs

What is WhatsApp’s biggest new feature?

Usernames that let people connect without sharing phone numbers.

Why is it better than RCS?

It offers stronger privacy controls like disappearing messages and hidden contact details.