> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.goghl.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# WhatsApp Usernames
> WhatsApp now lets people chat using a username instead of sharing their phone number. GoGHL fully supports these contacts: they are created automatically and outbound messages keep working, even without a phone number.
## What it is
With WhatsApp's new **username** feature, people can message you without ever revealing their phone number. When such a contact reaches you, there is no phone number to save in the CRM, so the usual phone-based contact flow does not apply.
GoGHL handles this automatically. The contact is created from the first inbound message, and outbound messages keep working through WhatsApp's unique identifier (LID) instead of a phone number.
Username support only works on the **latest version of the app**. If username contacts are not being created as described below, update your app first.
***
## How the contact is created
When you receive the first message from a username-only contact, the system creates the contact with:
| Field | Value | Editable? |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **Email (Primary)** | `.user@wasync.ai` (e.g. `mili.user@wasync.ai`). If WhatsApp does not share a username, the LID (`.lid@wasync.ai`) is stored here instead | **No. Do not delete or modify this field** |
| **Email (Additional)** | `.lid@wasync.ai` (e.g. `164068455362730.lid@wasync.ai`) | **No. Do not delete or modify this field** |
| **Phone** | Empty | You can add a number later if the contact shares one |
Do not change either email field in any situation. Both are used internally to recognize the contact and deliver messages. Leave them exactly as they were created.
Any address ending in `.lid@wasync.ai` stores the contact's **WhatsApp LID**, the permanent unique identifier we use to deliver outbound messages when no phone number is available. **It must never be deleted or edited, whichever field it sits in.** If it is removed, outbound messaging to this contact stops working.
***
## Sending messages
To message a username contact, use the **WhatsApp QR** channel. It is our dedicated WhatsApp conversation provider and the only channel that can deliver to these contacts, since it routes the message using the WhatsApp LID stored in **Email (Additional)** instead of a phone number. Select **WhatsApp QR** in the Conversations composer.
Learn how the WhatsApp QR channel works and how to set it up in [Custom Providers](/getting-started/custom-providers).
***
## Notes & limitations
* Requires the **latest version of the app**. Older versions do not create username contacts this way
* Contacts that do have a phone number are unaffected; everything works as before
* SMS and iMessage channels are unaffected for contacts with phone numbers
* Both email entries are for internal recognition and must remain on the contact permanently, exactly as created, for outbound to work
***
## Support
If you need help with the setup or onboarding:
* WhatsApp Support: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/+12267248710?text=Hi%2C%20I%20need%20help%20with%20WhatsApp%20Usernames.)
* Email: [**support@goghl.ai**](mailto:support@goghl.ai)
***
## FAQ
No. Both the primary and additional emails are used internally to recognize the contact and deliver messages. Do not change either of them in any situation.
Outbound messages to that contact will stop working, since that entry stores the WhatsApp unique identifier used for delivery. Do not remove or edit it, whichever field it sits in. If it was deleted by mistake, contact support.
Yes. If the contact shares their phone number, you can add it to the Phone field. Keep the `.lid@wasync.ai` additional email in place either way.