WhatsApp is rolling out a new green dot for online contacts on iOS, giving iPhone users a quicker way to see when someone is active on the app. The feature is part of the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.26.10.72 update on TestFlight, and it is currently available to some beta testers.
WABetaInfo reported that the green dot appears in the chat info screen when a contact is online. The dot disappears as soon as the person leaves WhatsApp, so users can understand the contact’s current activity status without looking for a text label.
How the WhatsApp Green Dot Works on iOS
The green dot appears on a contact’s profile photo inside the chat info screen. Users can open this screen by tapping the contact’s name at the top of a conversation. At this stage, WhatsApp does not show the green dot in the chat list or inside the main conversation window.
This feature works in the same way as the online indicator tested earlier on Android. Instead of showing only a text-based online label, WhatsApp now uses a small green circle to make the status easier to notice.
Privacy Settings Still Apply
WhatsApp does not show the green dot for every contact. If someone has hidden their last seen and online status, the dot will not appear for that person. This keeps the feature connected to WhatsApp’s existing privacy controls.
The feature is rolling out gradually, so not every beta tester will see it right away after installing the latest update. A few users on the App Store version may also get it as part of limited testing.
The green dot could become more useful when WhatsApp releases its upcoming Contacts screen, which is expected to show online and recently active contacts in one place. For now, iPhone users can check the chat info screen to see whether the feature is active on their account.
