WhatsApp is testing a feature that adds a small green circle to contact profile photos when they are active in the app [1].
This update changes how users perceive availability by providing a persistent, visual cue of a contact's presence. By integrating the status directly into the profile image, the app reduces the need for users to click into individual chats to verify if a recipient is online.
The feature is currently available for the WhatsApp iPhone app through TestFlight [1]. According to reports, the indicator is updated in real time and disappears the moment a user leaves the application [1]. This functionality allows for more immediate communication by signaling exactly when a contact is available to respond.
This development is not a new concept for the platform. The green dot indicator was initially launched on Android last month [1]. The current beta for iOS aims to bring parity between the two most dominant mobile operating systems.
"The feature adds a small green circle to a contact's profile photo when they’re active in the app, and which disappears the moment they leave, all updated in real time," MacRumors said [1].
Other industry reports confirm the rollout. "WhatsApp is testing a green dot feature on iPhone that shows when contacts are online, adding real-time activity status," bolnews.com said [1].
Additional reporting from msn.com noted that the update mirrors the experience previously introduced to Android beta testers [1]. The move suggests a push toward more transparent, instant-messaging cues that mimic the behavior of other social platforms.
“The feature adds a small green circle to a contact's profile photo when they’re active in the app.”
The introduction of a real-time activity indicator represents a shift toward more aggressive presence-tracking within WhatsApp. By making 'online' status visible at a glance on the profile photo, WhatsApp is increasing the social pressure for immediate responses, aligning its user interface with the high-visibility status markers found in platforms like Instagram or Discord.
