Instagram-like green dot feature may appear on WhatsApp; will allow users to gauge online status without opening the chat: Report

WhatsApp appears to be gearing up to launch new features on its platform. According to a report, the Meta-owned company is now rolling out a green dot indicator on a contact's profile photo when they are online. This indicator shows that a contact is actively using the app without requiring the user to open the chat. Additionally, WhatsApp is reportedly testing a new feature to manage chat backups on its Android app, which could help users keep their storage usage in check. Both features are expected to become available in the near future.

WhatsApp is testing a quick way to check who is online
Feature tracker WABetaInfo has spotted the messaging platform testing a new green dot feature that makes it easier to see which contacts are online. This feature—reportedly seen in WhatsApp beta version 2.26.24.5 for Android—displays a green dot on a contact's profile photo within the chat info screen when they are online.

According to the feature tracker, this green dot indicating availability can also be hidden via privacy settings. A screenshot suggests the feature resembles the green dot found in apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Slack, helping users see who is available to chat in real-time. The new green dot is expected to replace the existing 'Online' text label currently displayed on the chat info screen.

Separately, WABetaInfo claims that the Meta-owned chat service is testing a dedicated in-app backup management section for users. This feature would allow them to view, delete, and manage past backups to free up storage space. It is reported that this feature is currently in the development stage and is not yet available for beta testing. This functionality may also include shortcuts to manage Google Drive storage and access backup settings directly from the Android system settings.

Google is also reportedly contributing to this project by adding a dedicated backup management section to the Android system settings. According to a feature tracker, with the latest Google Play Services v26.23 update, Android users can manage their WhatsApp backups directly from their device settings.

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