Meta-owned messaging app WhatsApp is experimenting with a new feature for iPhone users that displays a green dot next to a contact’s profile picture to signify when they are actively using the app. This functionality is currently part of the iOS beta version 26.26.10.72.
The green dot appears as a small circle positioned at the bottom-right corner of a contact’s profile photo while they remain online. Once the user becomes inactive, the indicator automatically disappears, providing a real-time update on their availability.
This enhancement supplements WhatsApp’s existing “last seen” feature by offering a more immediate visual cue of a contact’s online presence. Notably, it aligns WhatsApp with similar status indicators already present on competing platforms like Instagram and Apple’s iMessage.
At present, the green dot is only visible on a contact’s information page rather than in the main chat list, which limits its practical use during everyday conversations. However, experts anticipate that this feature might be extended to the primary chat interface before its full public rollout, as that is where users typically check contacts’ availability.
In response to privacy concerns, WhatsApp has confirmed that the green dot will adhere to existing privacy preferences. Users who have opted to hide their online status will not have the green dot displayed, ensuring that the feature respects established user settings and does not compromise privacy.
This online status indicator is part of a broader set of features currently under development by WhatsApp. Other upcoming enhancements include username support, view-once text messages, and improved privacy controls for Meta AI interactions. These updates reflect WhatsApp’s ongoing efforts to modernize its platform and maintain competitiveness in the messaging app market.
