WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature that could make it much easier for users to know which of their contacts are currently active on the messaging platform. The upcoming update is expected to introduce a green dot indicator that appears alongside a contact's profile, allowing users to identify online contacts without opening individual chats.

The feature is currently under testing and has not yet been released to the general public. If introduced widely, it would bring WhatsApp closer to other Meta-owned platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger, where online activity indicators are already available.

New Green Dot Could Simplify Online Status Checks

At present, users who want to know whether someone is online must open that person's chat window. Only then does WhatsApp display the "Online" status at the top of the conversation, provided the contact has not hidden their activity.

The upcoming feature aims to eliminate this extra step by displaying a small green dot next to eligible contacts, making it possible to see who is currently active at a glance.

According to reports, the green indicator will appear beneath or alongside a contact's profile photo, helping users quickly identify active contacts without entering the chat screen.

Initially, the feature is expected to be available on the Contact Info page, which opens after tapping a person's profile picture. In future updates, WhatsApp may expand the indicator to the chat list or conversation screen for even quicker visibility.

What the Green Dot Will Indicate

The proposed online indicator is designed to offer a simple visual cue regarding a contact's activity.

Under the new system:

• A green dot will indicate that the contact is currently active on WhatsApp.
• If no green dot appears, it generally means the user is not online or their activity is not visible.
• Users will no longer need to open multiple chat windows just to check who is currently available.

This feature is expected to improve convenience, particularly for people who communicate with several contacts throughout the day.

Privacy Settings Will Continue to Apply

Despite the new online indicator, WhatsApp is expected to maintain its existing privacy protections.

Users who have chosen to hide their online status through the app's privacy settings will continue to control who can see their activity. If someone's online status is hidden, the green dot will not be shown to other users.

This means the new feature will operate within WhatsApp's existing privacy framework rather than overriding individual preferences.

Users will still be able to decide who can view their online status, ensuring that the new indicator does not compromise personal privacy.

Android and iPhone Testing Underway

Reports suggest that the green dot feature first appeared in beta testing for Android devices. More recently, testing has also begun for iPhone users, indicating that WhatsApp intends to launch the feature across both major mobile platforms.

As with many WhatsApp beta features, there is no official confirmation regarding the final rollout timeline. The company frequently tests new capabilities before deciding whether to release them globally.

Users participating in beta programs may receive access before the feature becomes available to the wider public.

Part of WhatsApp's Ongoing Feature Expansion

WhatsApp continues to introduce new tools aimed at improving communication, usability, and user experience. Over the past several months, the platform has added features such as enhanced chat privacy controls, message editing, AI-powered capabilities, voice chat improvements, and expanded customization options.

The green dot indicator appears to be another step toward making everyday interactions faster and more intuitive while preserving user privacy.

If rolled out publicly, the feature could make it significantly easier to identify active contacts without repeatedly opening chats, saving time for users who rely on WhatsApp for both personal and professional communication.

For now, the feature remains in the testing phase, and users will need to wait for an official announcement from WhatsApp regarding its wider availability. Until then, the existing online status system and privacy controls will continue to function as usual.