WhatsApp is Working on a New Contacts Hub That Shows Who’s Online Instantly

WhatsApp's New Contacts Hub: No More Chat-Hopping to See Who's Online

WhatsApp is developing a dedicated contacts hub for iPhone users that surfaces online and recently active contacts in one glance, eliminating the tedious process of opening individual chats just to check availability. The feature, spotted in the latest iOS beta (version 26.10.70), will sit within the app's settings and display a live list of contacts sorted by online status—with a green dot signaling those currently active.

How the Hub Works: Green Dots and Favorites First

The new hub puts your most important contacts front and center. At the very top, you'll see up to four favorite contacts, each marked with a small heart icon in the corner of their profile picture. Below that, the "Recently Online" section shows contacts in chronological order, with currently active users appearing first—identified by a green dot on their avatar. The entire list updates in real time, so you always know who is available for a quick conversation.

Sorting Options for Every Preference

If you prefer to organize contacts alphabetically rather than by online time, the hub includes a sort toggle. You can switch between "Online" and "Name" views, making it easy to find a specific person quickly. A search bar at the top further speeds up navigation, and an option to add contacts manually or via QR code is also integrated.

Why This Matters: Saving Time and Reducing Friction

Right now, checking whether someone is online requires opening their chat and glancing at the top of the screen. If they're active, you see "online" next to their name. If not, you get a "last seen" timestamp. For users who message multiple people throughout the day, this back-and-forth quickly becomes inefficient. The new hub collapses that process into a single view, letting you see at a glance who is free to chat.

This is especially useful in group projects, event planning, or any scenario where you need quick responses. Instead of opening five chats and finding four people offline, you can instantly spot the one person who is online and start a conversation.

Privacy Settings Remain Fully Respected

WhatsApp is taking care to respect user privacy. The contacts hub will only show online and last seen information for people who have not restricted those details in their privacy settings. If a contact has disabled "Last Seen & Online" visibility, they will not appear in the hub at all—even if they are currently active. Similarly, if someone hides only their online status but leaves last seen visible, they will only show up in the offline portion of the list based on that timestamp.

This means the hub doesn't override any existing privacy choices. It simply aggregates what you're already allowed to see, presenting it in a more convenient format. WhatsApp has also confirmed that users must allow others to see their own online status in order to view the hub, maintaining the reciprocal nature of the feature.

Additional Features: Quick Access to Contacts and QR Code Sharing

Beyond the online list, the hub acts as a central command center for all your contacts. You can manage favorites directly from the section, toggle sorting preferences, and even save unsaved numbers that you've interacted with in group chats. WhatsApp will suggest adding these contacts to your address book, streamlining the process of building a comprehensive network.

The QR code sharing option is another thoughtful touch. Instead of handing out your phone number, you can simply have someone scan your QR code to start chatting—perfect for networking events or casual meetups.

When Can You Expect It?

The feature is still under development and not yet available to beta testers. However, given that it has appeared in both Android and iOS beta builds, a public beta rollout is expected within the next few weeks. WhatsApp typically tests features on its beta channel for several weeks before a wider release. Keep your app updated, and watch for the new contacts hub to appear in your settings soon.

As messaging apps continue to evolve, small quality-of-life improvements like this one can make a big difference in daily communication. By putting who is available right at your fingertips, WhatsApp is making it easier to connect instantly—without the friction of unnecessary taps.