WhatsApp tests green dot online indicator for iOS beta

WhatsApp is testing a new feature that adds a small green dot next to a contact's profile photo to indicate when they are actively using the app. The feature is currently available to a limited number of beta testers on iOS, following a similar test on Android.

The green indicator appears in real-time on a contact's information screen, which is accessed by tapping a person's name at the top of a chat. The dot is visible only while the contact has WhatsApp open and disappears immediately when they close the app, providing a more immediate status update than the traditional "last seen" timestamp.

Privacy controls are integrated into the new feature. The green dot will only be visible to users if the contact has chosen to share their online status in their privacy settings. If a user has hidden their "last seen" and online status from someone, that person will not see the dot, ensuring no additional visibility is granted beyond existing preferences.

For now, the indicator is confined to the contact information screen and does not appear on the main chat list or within message threads. This limited placement means users must navigate to a specific screen to see the status, rather...