WhatsApp Tests Green Dot Online Indicator on iOS Beta
WhatsApp is introducing a new green dot indicator on its iOS app, signaling when a contact is actively online. This feature is currently available in the beta version 26.26.10.72 through TestFlight and was first identified by WABetaInfo, a platform dedicated to tracking WhatsApp developments.
The green dot appears as a small circle at the bottom right of a contact’s profile picture, providing a real-time update of their online status. This visual cue aims to replace the older text-based “Online” label and offers a cleaner, easier way for users to see contact availability at a glance. The rollout started for Android users last month and is gradually expanding to iOS beta testers, with some stable App Store users also likely to gain access in limited form.
Unlike previous status indicators, the green dot only shows while the user is actively using the app and immediately disappears once they exit WhatsApp or go offline. This ensures that the online status is accurate and up to date. The feature is currently limited to the contact info screen, visible after tapping a contact’s profile photo. However, there are expectations that it will be incorporated into the main chat list and Chats tab before a stable launch.
Privacy remains a key focus in this update. The green dot’s visibility aligns with existing WhatsApp settings: if a user chooses to hide their last seen or online status, the green dot will not be shown to others. This approach maintains user control over who can see their online presence without forced exposure. Nonetheless, WhatsApp has yet to clarify if specific granular privacy controls will be added exclusively for the green dot indicator.
The launch of the green dot coincides with the development of a new “Contacts hub” feature. This hub is designed to display online and recently active contacts in one centralized location within WhatsApp, further enhancing user experience by simplifying contact management.
The new green dot online indicator aligns WhatsApp with similar features found on other social platforms such as Instagram, iMessage, Facebook Messenger, and LinkedIn. While no official release date has been announced for the stable version, the incremental rollout to beta users suggests that a wider availability is forthcoming.