WhatsApp has started testing a new feature for iPhone users that allows them to know in real-time if their contact is connected to the app. This will be done by showing a small green dot next to the profile picture. The feature is currently available to a limited number of beta testers on iOS, and it will be gradually expanded over the coming weeks.

What is the green dot feature?

The new feature relies on adding a simple visual indicator that appears next to the contact’s profile picture when they are active on WhatsApp. When a user enters the chat information page for any contact, they will notice a small green circle above the account picture if the other party is using the app at that moment.
The indicator automatically disappears once the user leaves the app or stops being active, making the status up-to-date in real time.

Where does the green dot appear?

Currently, the green dot does not appear within the list of conversations or on the chat screen itself. The feature is limited to the contact information page, which can be accessed by clicking on the person’s name at the top of the conversation window. It seems that WhatsApp chose this location initially to give users a chance to get familiar with the feature before expanding its visibility to other areas within the app.

The feature maintains privacy

WhatsApp confirmed that the appearance of the green dot is subject to the same current privacy settings for “Last Seen” and “Online Now”, so if a user has hidden their connection status, others will not see the green dot when they use the app. This means that the feature does not provide any additional information beyond what is allowed by the current privacy settings.

Reports indicate that WhatsApp is currently developing a new section dedicated to contacts on both Android and iOS systems. It is expected that this section will include a list of people who are currently connected or have been active recently, making the green dot an essential part of the new experience being developed by the app. Observers believe that the appearance of the indicator within the chat information page may be just a first step before it is moved to the conversation list or the main contacts screen in the future.

Current availability

The feature is currently available for some users of the WhatsApp beta version on iPhone through TestFlight. It also appeared for a limited number of stable version users on the App Store as part of limited tests. Since the launch process is gradual, the feature may not be immediately visible to all users even after updating the app. However, it will reach more accounts in the coming weeks. WhatsApp has not yet specified an official date for launching the feature for all users in the final version of the app.