Overview
- WhatsApp has started rolling the green‑dot online indicator to a subset of iPhone beta testers using TestFlight build 26.26.10.72 and a few App Store accounts.
- The green dot appears at the bottom‑right of a contact’s profile photo only on the chat or contact info screen and is not visible in the main chat list or inside chat threads.
- The indicator updates in real time, appearing when a contact opens WhatsApp and disappearing the moment they leave the app.
- WhatsApp enforces the same last‑seen and online privacy settings for the dot, so users who hide their online status will not show the indicator.
- The test ties into work on a dedicated Contacts hub that could surface availability more broadly, but WhatsApp has not announced any timeline for a full public release.