WhatsApp Could Soon Let You Spot Online Contacts Instantly: Check Details

WhatsApp is currently under scrutiny in India over its upcoming username feature, but that hasn't stopped the Meta-owned messaging platform from testing new additions for its users. The latest feature in development is a simple yet useful visual cue that could make it much easier to know whether someone is currently active on the app. Keep on reading to know everything about WhatsApp's new green dot feature, how it works and when it could arrive for everyone.What Is WhatsApp's New Green Dot Feature?According to WaBetaInfo, the Telegram-rival has started testing a new green dot indicator for selected iPhone beta users through the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS available on Apple's TestFlight programme. Instead of opening a conversation just to check

whether someone is online, users may soon be able to spot a green dot beneath a contact's profile picture whenever that person is active.At the moment, the feature only appears inside the Contact Info page, which users can access by tapping on a contact's profile photo or name within a chat. It is not yet visible in the chat list or conversation screen, suggesting the Meta-owned platform is taking a gradual approach before expanding it further.The feature was first spotted in Android beta builds and has now made its way to iPhone beta testers, indicating that WhatsApp is actively refining it across both major platforms.Privacy Settings Stay The SameOne important detail is that the green dot does not introduce any new privacy concerns. It simply presents existing online status information in a more visible format.If you've already hidden your online status from specific contacts, or from everyone through WhatsApp's privacy settings, those users will not see the green dot next to your profile. In other words, the feature fully respects the privacy preferences you've already chosen.As of now, the feature remains limited to a small group of beta testers and WhatsApp has not announced an official rollout timeline.