WhatsApp is testing a new feature to show which contacts are online

WhatsApp is developing a new Contacts Hub feature that gives users a quicker way to see which contacts are online, recently active or marked as favourites. The tool is currently being tested in beta versions for iOS and Android and aims to remove the need to open individual chats to check a person’s availability.

WhatsApp is working on a new feature that could change how users keep track of their contacts’ activity on the app.

According to reports from WABetaInfo, the messaging platform is testing a centralised “Contacts Hub” designed to show real-time activity from people in your contact list.

The feature is currently under development in beta versions for both Android and iOS.

Why the new Contacts Hub matters

One of the biggest frustrations for many WhatsApp users is having to manually open multiple chats to see whether someone is online.

The new Contacts Hub aims to simplify that process by placing contact activity into one organised directory.

Instead of scrolling through conversations, users would have access to a live overview of active contacts from a single screen.

What the new WhatsApp Contacts Hub includes

The feature groups contacts into different categories for faster access and easier navigation.

Favourites section for quick access

WhatsApp plans to display up to four favourite contacts at the top of the hub.

This section is expected to prioritise people users interact with most often, making communication faster and more convenient.

Real-time online status

Contacts who currently have WhatsApp open will appear in a dedicated “Currently Online” section.

A green dot indicator next to profile photos will show who is actively using the app.

Recently active contacts

The tool will also include a “Recently Active” category.

Contacts will reportedly appear in chronological order based on when they last logged into WhatsApp.

Where the feature appears in WhatsApp

Early beta versions place the Contacts Hub inside the Settings section of the app.

The feature currently appears below the user’s profile photo, suggesting Meta may position it as an optional utility rather than adding it directly to the Chats tab.

The final design and placement could still change before a wider rollout.

Privacy settings still apply

WhatsApp’s new feature will still respect existing privacy settings.

Users will only see online activity if both people share their “Last Seen” and “Online” visibility statuses.

Contacts who hide their activity through WhatsApp Privacy Settings will remain invisible in the Contacts Hub.

This means the feature operates using mutual visibility rather than bypassing privacy controls.

When the feature could launch

WhatsApp has not announced an official release date for the Contacts Hub.

As the feature is still in beta testing, Meta could adjust, expand or even remove parts of the tool before releasing it publicly.

Still, the update points to WhatsApp’s continued focus on making communication faster and more user-friendly.

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