Last month, the beta version of the WhatsApp Android app started showing a green dot for contacts who are online. The beta of the iPhone app is now doing the same.

The feature does seem to take care to protect privacy in a couple of ways, which is not always a given with Meta apps …

WAbetainfo spotted the new feature.

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 The green dot disappears as soon as the contact is no longer active.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.

Meta has applied a couple of privacy protections to the feature. First, if you’ve chosen to hide your online status in the privacy section of the settings, that also applies to the new green dot. Second, you’re only shown as online while you actually have the app open.

At present, the status indicator is rather hidden. You won’t see it within an open chat or on your main chat list, but only if you tap on the bar at the top of a chat to see the contact info. The site expects it to be given greater visibility once people have had a chance to get used to it. In particular, Meta is reportedly working on a Contacts screen, which will list contacts currently online or recently active.

As is usual with WhatsApp, beta features roll out to a small number of users initially, so you may or may not see it even if you are using the latest beta.

• Apple Watch Ultra 3 from Apple’s official Amazon store
• Official Apple Store on Amazon
• Discounted AirPods Pro 3
• Wireless CarPlay adapter
• AirTag holders and accessories
• Mac Pro-style Mac mini casing
• NordVPN – privacy-first VPN with no logs and independent audits to verify

Photo by Asi Mong on Unsplash