WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.20.10.70: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new iOS update through the TestFlight beta Program, bringing the version up to 26.20.10.70.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature that lets users see which of their contacts are currently online, and it will be available in a future update!
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Contacts hub with online users |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development, and it is not available for beta testing. In the meantime, you can read this article for a sneak peek. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp for iOS 26.19.77: what's new? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that limits free business broadcasts through message credits! |
WhatsApp to develop a faster way to see who is online on Android
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.13.3 update, we announced a feature that lets users see their online contacts. Specifically, this feature will allow users to see which contacts are currently active on WhatsApp without opening their conversations. So it will become easier for users to start a conversation with their family and friends who are available at that moment. This means that users can easily identify who is available and decide more quickly whom to message.
WhatsApp to expand the online contacts feature to iOS
We announced this feature for the Android app at the end of March. Since then, WhatsApp has been working to bring the same functionality to iOS as well. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.20.10.70 update, which is available on the TestFlight app, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that lets users see which of their contacts are currently online.
How WhatsApp currently shows online status and last seen
WhatsApp shows when a contact is online while they are using the app. To check this information, users need to open the conversation with the contact. The online status appears at the top of the individual chat. When the contact is offline, WhatsApp displays the "last seen" information. The last seen indicates the last time a user was active on WhatsApp. Both of these indicators are only visible if the user's privacy settings allow it, as they can be restricted or hidden from the app settings. This means that if privacy settings are limited, this information will not be visible at all.
Why checking who is available can take too much time in WhatsApp
In many cases, it is complicated to quickly see when multiple contacts are online at the same time. Users often open many conversations to check who is currently online. This process may require time when someone is trying to find the right person to chat with in a short moment. In these situations, they compare the last seen information to decide whom to message. As a result, opening multiple chats to see who is online can be inconvenient when users want to communicate quickly with someone.
WhatsApp is working on a dedicated contacts section for faster access
In a future update, WhatsApp will address this limitation by introducing a new Contacts section. This section will list contacts who have been recently online, making it easier to track their availability. It will be placed within the app settings, just below the profile photo. Within this section, users will find their favorite contacts for quick access. WhatsApp will display up to four favorite contacts in this section. This layout will make communication with favorites more convenient.
WhatsApp will show who is online in the new contacts hub
At the top of the hub, WhatsApp will display all our favorite contacts for easier access. However, the most interesting part is located just below this section, where WhatsApp displays recently online contacts. Contacts who are currently online appear at the top of this list, and they are shown with a green dot on their profile picture. This list will make it simpler for users to identify who is immediately available. Below them, WhatsApp shows contacts who have been recently active in chronological order. This means that users will be able to quickly understand availability and recent activity at a glance.
WhatsApp will let users search, sort, and manage contacts in the hub
The Contacts hub will also offer users the ability to search for any contact through the search bar. They will also be able to add a phone number to their WhatsApp contacts manually or by scanning a QR code. Users can manage and update their Favorites even in this section at any time. In addition, the contact list can be sorted by name instead of online status. This option is particularly useful for those users who have completely hidden their last seen and online status.
WhatsApp will still consider privacy settings when showing online activity
Privacy settings will still play an important role by affecting how this feature works. Users who have disabled their online status or last seen information will not appear in this section. At the same time, the section will not display the online activity for contacts who have chosen to hide it. So WhatsApp will still consider privacy settings for this section. As a result, visibility in the contacts hub will always depend on privacy settings.
The contacts hub feature is under development on iOS
The feature that lets users see which of their contacts are currently online is under development, and it will be available in a future update. WhatsApp is currently working on improving how the app can quickly display contact availability. Once development is complete, WhatsApp will release this feature to some beta testers, making the contacts hub available as a useful tool to track who is currently online.
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