WhatsApp is rolling out the green dot for online contacts on iOS
The latest WhatsApp beta version from TestFlight introduces a small green dot to identify online contacts. The dot appears in the chat info screen when a contact is active and disappears the moment they leave the app. To respect privacy settings, WhatsApp only shows the green dot for contacts who share their online status.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | Green dot for online contacts |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Compatibility: | WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.26.10.72 is a compatible update. |
| Availability info: | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it is rolling out to more accounts over the coming weeks. |
| Thanks: | IgnacioAF, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is testing a new setup screen for Android tablets! |
WhatsApp launched the green dot for online contacts on Android
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.24.5 update, we announced a new green dot to mark when someone is online. With this feature, WhatsApp is introducing a new indicator in the chat info screen, making it easier for users to understand whether the contact is available. Before this change, users could see a text label under the photo to understand when a contact was online. The green dot replaces the label with a redesigned indicator. It respects the contact's privacy settings, so it never appears for contacts who hide their last seen and online status.
WhatsApp expands the green dot to the iOS app
WhatsApp launched the green dot to some Android beta testers last month, and the iOS app is finally catching up. Today, WhatsApp is bringing the same feature to iPhone users with the latest beta version. It works exactly the same way it does on Android, so iPhone users already know what to expect from this feature. We discovered the news after installing the WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.26.10.72 update, which is available on TestFlight. Specifically, WhatsApp is rolling out the green dot for online contacts to some beta testers.
How the green dot works on WhatsApp for iOS
With the latest update, some beta testers may notice a green dot on the contact's profile photo. When someone is active on WhatsApp, a small green circle shows up in the corner of their photo. This makes it faster for users to know when someone is available before sending a message. The green dot disappears as soon as the contact is no longer active. As a result, it always reflects the current status in real time.
The green dot only shows up in the contact info screen
It's worth being clear about where the green dot appears. WhatsApp displays the green dot only in the chat info screen, the page users open by tapping a contact's name at the top of the conversation interface. At this stage, it does not appear in the chat list or within the conversation screen. This means that WhatsApp decided to keep it in this specific spot rather than showing it in other sections of the app.
WhatsApp respects your privacy settings
WhatsApp doesn't show the green dot for every contact. If a contact decided to hide their last seen and online status in their privacy settings, the dot won't appear for them. WhatsApp applies the same rules here as it does for the online indicator in the chat screen. This means that users still have full control over whether others can see when they are active on the app.
Why this feature matters for the future Contacts hub
WhatsApp is working on a Contacts screen for both Android and iOS. With this new feature, WhatsApp will introduce a dedicated tab that lists which contacts are currently online or recently active. The green dot is an important part of this experience, since it uses the same system the Contacts hub will rely on. When WhatsApp releases the Contacts hub officially, users will already know exactly what the dot means.
The green dot in the chat info screen may just be the beginning
The chat info screen is a good place to introduce this new indicator, since users open it intentionally to learn more about a contact. However, the green dot could expand to other sections of the app in the future. These include the chat list, the conversation interface, and the contacts section that users can open from the Chats tab. A gradual rollout like this gives users time to get familiar with the dot before it shows up in other sections. Users will learn what it stands for before it becomes available in the chat list or the contacts section.
WhatsApp is rolling out the green dot for iOS beta testers
The green dot for online contacts is currently available to some beta testers who install the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS update on TestFlight. A small number of users on the App Store version may also see the green dot for testing purposes. WhatsApp is rolling out the feature gradually, so not everyone will see it right away even after updating. If the dot does not appear yet in the chat info screen, it should be available to more accounts over the coming weeks. WhatsApp has not announced when it will be available to everyone in the stable version.
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