WhatsApp tests new online indicator on profile pictures

WhatsApp is rolling out a subtle yet significant visual update that will change how users interact with the app. A small green dot will soon appear on the profile pictures of users who are currently online.

This feature, spotted in a test version for Android by the specialized portal WaBetaInfo, adopts a familiar design from Meta's other platforms like Instagram and Messenger. It aims to make it easier to see a contact's availability at a glance.

Previously, checking someone's online status required entering the chat window and waiting for the "last seen" or "online" status to appear. This new indicator promises a more agile and dynamic experience. However, the change will respect individual privacy settings. The green circle will only be visible if the contact has enabled the option for others to see their connection status. Those who have chosen to hide their last online time or current activity will remain invisible to this new visual tool.

The developers are currently placing this element on the chat information screen, which appears when a user's name or portrait is tapped within a conversation. It will not be present in the general chat list or the main chat screen, at least for now. This novelty is part of a larger restructuring called "Contacts hub," a future centralized section that will group active or recently interacted-with contacts, sortable alphabetically or by current connectivity. The app is preparing the visual groundwork for this hub by introducing the aesthetic indicator.