Online on WhatsApp? Platform testing new feature to display active contacts

With more than three billion active users, WhatsApp is the most popular messenger app on all platforms, including iOS, Android and Windows.

However, lately, it is facing stiff competition from Telegram and Signal. To keep the users hooked to its messenger app, Meta regularly rolls out new features. Most recent include the launch of WhatsApp Plus, a paid subscription with special benefits, Incognito mode while chatting with Meta AI bot, option to recharge currency to use cellular service, Instagram-like username option and more.

Now, it is working on a new 'contacts hub', which will allow users to know who is active on WhatsApp at a single place, reported WABetaInfo, a community blog citing the recent WhatsApp beta for iOS (v26.20.10.70).

This is a very handy feature, as it will help users understand who is active or not and initiate a conversation with friends and family.

Currently, the user has to go to an individual's chat and see the last seen indicator at the top. However, if the latter has disabled it, there is no way for users to see if the other person is active or not on WhatsApp.

Now, Meta plans to bring a dedicated Contact section near the user's profile photo. Here, the user can see the entire list of contacts who are active. And, depending on their availability, he/she can initiate a conversation on WhatsApp.

Meta has already begun testing on the Android version of WhatsApp, but there is no word on how soon it intends to bring the contact section feature to all users just yet.

In a related development, WhatsApp is testing a multi-chat AI summaries feature on its messenger app.

With this new multi-chat AI summaries feature, WhatsApp will offer crisp updates on who has messaged and offer a gist of the texts. This way, the user can know important details and, if it is urgent, respond with a call or text message.

Get the latest news on new launches, gadget reviews, apps, cybersecurity, and more on personal technology only on DH Tech.