WhatsApp appears to be introducing a new visual indicator that shows when a contact is online, according to WaBetaInfo.
The feature adds a small green circle to a contact’s profile picture when they are active in the app, and which disappears the moment they leave, all updated in real time. The indicator is currently being tested for the WhatsApp iPhone app in TestFlight after debuting on Android last month.
As it currently works, the dot only appears in the chat info screen (the page that opens when you tap a contact’s name at the top of a conversation). It doesn’t yet appear in the chat list or in the chat view itself, but that might change in the future.
The change appears to respect WhatsApp’s existing privacy rules, so if someone has specifically chosen to hide their last visit and connection status, the green dot won’t appear for them.
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Green dot for online contacts displayed (image: WaBetaInfo)
The indicator is live in WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.26.10.72. WABetaInfo reports that it is now available to select beta testers, with a wider beta rollout expected over the coming weeks. However, it is not yet clear when the green dot will reach the stable version for everyone.
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