WhatsApp is testing a new green online indicator— Here's everything we know

Recent updates regarding WhatsApp's upcoming features suggest that the messaging platform is testing a new green dot indicator on Android to show when a contact is online. The Meta-owned company has now started testing the feature on iOS as well. The latest development was spotted by WABetaInfo in WhatsApp for iOS beta version 26.26.19.72.

Beta users running the latest version of the app can reportedly see a small green circle at the bottom-right corner of a contact's profile photo on the "Contact Info" screen whenever that person is online. The green dot disappears once the contact goes offline, offering users a quick visual cue about their availability.

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According to WABetaInfo, the new online status indicator currently appears only on a contact's profile page, which can be accessed by tapping their profile photo. While the feature confirms when a contact is online, its limited placement makes it less useful than if it were visible directly in the chats list or within the Chats tab.

The indicator also follows WhatsApp's existing privacy settings. Users who have chosen to hide their "Last Seen" and online status will not display the green dot to others.

For now, the feature is available only to a limited number of beta testers on both Android and iOS. There is currently no official word on when WhatsApp plans to roll it out to all users.

WhatsApp username feature review

WhatsApp had recently announced plans to introduce usernames as an additional way for users to identify themselves on the platform. The feature is expected to offer users greater privacy by allowing them to connect without sharing their phone numbers.

However, while the change could improve user privacy, it has also raised concerns about a potential rise in cybercrime and phishing scams on the platform. Citing these risks, the government has reportedly ordered a review of the proposed feature before its wider rollout.