The feature is available in the latest beta version of WhatsApp through Apple's TestFlight platform. After being tested on Android last month, it is now rolling out to a limited number of iOS beta users.
The green dot appears next to a contact's profile picture whenever they are actively using WhatsApp and disappears as soon as they leave the app or become inactive. This gives users a quick way to check if someone is available before sending a message.
The new design replaces the "Online" label that previously appeared beneath the profile picture on the chat information screen, simplifying the interface while maintaining the same functionality.
WhatsApp confirmed that the green indicator will only be visible if the contact allows their online status to be shared through their privacy settings.
Users who choose to hide their "Last Seen" or "Online" status will not have the green dot displayed next to their name, in line with WhatsApp's existing privacy policy.
For now, the indicator only appears on a contact's profile page, which can be accessed by tapping their name at the top of a chat. It does not yet appear in the chat list or within the chat window itself.
The update suggests WhatsApp is preparing to introduce a new contacts section for both iOS and Android that will display contacts who are currently online or were recently active, with the green dot serving as a key part of the experience.
The company may later expand the green indicator to the chat list, chat interface, and other parts of the app once users become familiar with the feature.
The feature is currently available to selected TestFlight beta users and may also appear for a limited number of users on the stable version as part of testing. A wider rollout is expected over the coming weeks, although WhatsApp has not announced an official release date.