WhatsApp is testing a new feature for iPhone that makes it easier to see when your contacts are online. Instead of relying only on the “Online” text displayed inside a chat, the app is introducing a green dot indicator that appears on a contact’s profile photo when they are actively using WhatsApp. The feature is currently rolling out to some beta testers and has not yet been released to all users.
What Is the Online Contact Indicator?
The new feature adds a small green dot to a contact’s profile picture whenever they are online. The indicator appears in real time and disappears as soon as the person goes offline. It is designed to help users quickly know whether someone is available before sending a message.
Where Will You See It?
At the moment, the green dot is available only on the Contact Info screen. You can access this by opening a chat and tapping the contact’s name or profile photo at the top.
The indicator does not currently appear:
- In the main chat list
- Inside the conversation window
- On the Calls or Updates tabs
WhatsApp may expand the feature to other parts of the app in future updates.
Privacy Still Comes First
The feature follows WhatsApp’s existing privacy settings.
- If a contact has hidden their Online or Last Seen status, you won’t see the green dot.
- Likewise, if you choose to hide your online status, others won’t see your indicator either.
Who Can Use It?
The feature is currently available to a limited number of users running the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS through Apple’s TestFlight program. A wider beta rollout is expected before the feature reaches the stable version of the app.
What’s Next?
Reports also suggest WhatsApp is developing a dedicated Contacts Hub that could show all contacts who are currently online or were recently active. The green dot is expected to become a key part of that experience, making it easier to find people who are available to chat.
Conclusion
The new Online Contact Indicator is a small but useful upgrade for iPhone users. By replacing the text-based “Online” label with a simple green dot, WhatsApp aims to make checking a contact’s availability faster while continuing to respect users’ privacy settings. Although the feature is still in beta, it is expected to roll out to more iPhone users in the coming months.
FAQs
Q: What is the WhatsApp Online Contact Indicator?
A: It is a green dot that appears on a contact’s profile photo when they are actively using WhatsApp.
Q: Is the feature available to everyone?
A: No. It is currently being tested with a limited number of iPhone beta users.
Q: Where does the green dot appear?
A: It currently appears only on the Contact Info screen.
Q: Can I hide my online status?
A: Yes. The feature follows WhatsApp’s existing privacy settings, so users can control who sees their online activity.
