WhatsApp is testing a green dot online indicator on its iOS app. The feature shows in real time when a contact is actively using the platform. It appears as a small circle at the bottom right of a contact’s profile photo. The beta version is iOS 26.26.10.72, available through TestFlight.
The feature has been spotted by WABetaInfo, which tracks WhatsApp developments. Android testing began last month. This marks the beginning of a wider iOS rollout. The company has not announced a stable release date yet. The rollout is gradual, so more beta testers are expected to receive it over coming weeks. Some users on the stable App Store version may also get limited testing access.
The green dot displays only when a contact is actively using WhatsApp. It disappears immediately when they close the app or go offline. This gives users real-time view of contact availability. It mirrors similar features in Instagram, iMessage, Facebook Messenger, and LinkedIn. The new visual indicator replaces WhatsApp’s old text-based “Online” label, making status easier to spot at a glance and cleaner overall.
The feature respects existing privacy settings fully. If a user has hidden their last seen status or online indicator, the green dot will not appear to others. This means users retain control over visibility. No forced exposure occurs regardless of the feature’s rollout. However, some observers note WhatsApp has not yet confirmed whether the same granular privacy controls will extend specifically to the green dot indicator itself.
Currently, the green dot is visible only in the contact info screen. Users see it after tapping a contact’s profile photo in a chat. It does not appear in the main chat list or the Chats tab. Industry watchers expect the feature to expand there before stable release.
The green dot is also linked to an upcoming Contacts hub that WhatsApp is developing, which will show online and recently active contacts in one dedicated place.
