WhatsApp is rolling out the green dot feature for some beta testers on iOS, confirming an online indicator many expected but had not yet seen on iPhone. WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.26.10.72, available through TestFlight, is the compatible update that introduces this change. The rollout is confirmed by direct testing credited to tester IgnacioAF, matching WhatsApp’s own official guidance on last seen and online status controls. The dot appears only for contacts who have not hidden their online status in their privacy settings.
WhatsApp Launched the Green Dot on Android First
WhatsApp introduced the green dot on Android beta testers first, through the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.24.5 update. That version replaced the old text label under a contact’s photo with a small green circle shown directly on their profile picture.
The Android version worked the same way it does now on iOS. It respected privacy settings from the start, never appearing for contacts who chose to hide their last seen and online status.
How the Green Dot Works on WhatsApp for iOS
Some beta testers on iOS 26.26.10.72 will now notice a green dot appear on a contact’s profile photo inside WhatsApp. When that contact is active on WhatsApp, the small green circle shows up in the corner of their picture.
This gives users a faster way to see who is available before starting a conversation. The dot disappears the moment the contact leaves the app, so it always reflects real time activity rather than a static label.
The Green Dot Only Shows Up in the Chat Info Screen
WhatsApp currently limits the green dot to one specific location on iOS. It appears only in the chat info screen, the page opened by tapping a contact’s name at the top of a conversation.
At this stage, the dot does not appear in the chat list or inside the conversation screen itself. WhatsApp chose to introduce it in this one section first rather than rolling it out everywhere at once.
Privacy Settings Still Control the Green Dot
The green dot follows the same rules WhatsApp already applies to online status. Anyone who has hidden their last seen and online status from their privacy settings will not show a green dot to others, regardless of how active they are.
This means the feature adds a new visual layer without changing who controls visibility. Users keep the same level of control over their own online status that they had before this update.
Why This Feature Matters for the Future Contacts Hub
WhatsApp is building a dedicated Contacts hub for both Android and iOS, and the green dot plays a direct role in that plan. The hub is expected to list contacts by who is currently online or recently active.
The green dot uses the same underlying system the Contacts hub will rely on. By the time WhatsApp releases that hub, users testing the green dot now will already know exactly what the indicator means.
The Chat Info Screen May Just Be the Beginning
Starting the rollout in the chat info screen gives users time to understand the green dot before it appears anywhere else. People open this screen intentionally to learn more about a contact, making it a natural first location.
WhatsApp could expand the green dot to the chat list, the conversation screen, or a dedicated contacts section later. A gradual rollout like this lets the indicator become familiar before it shows up in more places.
Platform Availability for iOS
The green dot is currently available to some beta testers running WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.26.10.72 through TestFlight. A small number of App Store users may also see it for testing purposes.
WhatsApp is rolling this out gradually, so testers who update may not see the green dot right away. Anyone who does not have it yet should expect it to reach more accounts over the coming weeks, since WhatsApp has not announced a timeline for the stable release.
Conclusion
WhatsApp has closed the gap between Android and iOS for this feature, following the Android launch in mid-June with a matching iOS rollout in build 26.26.10.72. The AllBetaInfo team will continue tracking how the green dot expands as WhatsApp builds out the full Contacts hub.
This update gives iPhone users the same at-a-glance online status view Android testers have had for several weeks.
Stay Updated with AllBetaInfo
Follow AllBetaInfo on Medium and X to catch every new feature under development and every update reaching beta testers first. AllBetaInfo is the global source for real-time beta updates on all major apps across Android, iOS, and Web. The team covers messaging, social, streaming, and AI apps, reporting each major change the moment it lands, so readers always stay a step ahead.