Telegram shows your number only to your contacts by default, and Signal shows it to nobody unless you choose otherwise. WhatsApp is introducing usernames so that people who do not have your number see a name instead. In all three, a phone number is still needed to register, so hiding it is a matter of settings, not tricks.
What others can see by default
| Telegram | Signal | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Your number is shown to | Your contacts only | Nobody, unless you allow it | The people you message, until usernames are live for you |
| Usernames | Optional, public and searchable | Optional, only found by the exact name | Rolling out; optional, with an extra key if you like |
| Number needed to sign up | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| People who saved your number | Always see it | Always see it | Always see it |
No setting can hide your number from someone who already has it in their address book.
Telegram: phone number privacy and username
- Open Settings → Privacy and Security → Phone Number and choose who may see it.
- Decide about a username. It lets people find you in global search and write to you without your number, which is either a privacy gain or a door for strangers.
- When someone reaches you through your username and you reply, neither of you sees the other's number, unless your privacy settings allow it.
Telegram usernames can use a–z, 0–9 and underscores. To remove yours, save an empty username in Settings.
Signal: usernames and number privacy
- Who can see my number Settings → Privacy → Phone Number. Choose Nobody. Contacts who already saved your number will still see it.
- Who can find me by number Set it to Nobody as well. It only becomes available once the first option is on Nobody.
- Create a username 3 to 32 characters, letters, numbers and underscores, ending in at least two digits. Share it as text, QR code or link.
With both options on Nobody, people need your exact username to start a chat. You can have one username at a time, and capital letters do not matter.
WhatsApp: what you can and cannot hide
WhatsApp opened username reservations in June 2026 and is rolling the feature out gradually. Once it is live for you, people who do not have your number in their contacts see your username instead, and there is no directory to browse.
- Reserve a name under Settings → Account → Username; WhatsApp notifies you when it reaches your country.
- Add a username key if you want people to need a second word before they can message you.
- What stays visible: your number to everyone who already saved it, and to the people you message until usernames are active.
Common questions
Can I use WhatsApp with a hidden number?
Not completely: WhatsApp still registers you with a number. Usernames, now rolling out, let people who do not have your number see a name instead.
How do I hide my phone number on Telegram?
Go to Settings → Privacy and Security → Phone Number and limit who can see it. By default only your contacts can.
Can someone find me on Signal with my number?
Only if Who can find me by number is set to Everybody. Set it to Nobody, after setting Who can see my number to Nobody.
Do usernames replace the phone number?
No. In all three apps the number is still needed to register; usernames only change what others see and how they reach you.