In one of its most requested “quality of life” updates, WhatsApp has begun testing a dedicated “Contacts Hub” that allows users to see which of their contacts are currently online in real-time.
Spotted in the latest Android Beta (v2.26.13.3) on March 31, the feature aims to eliminate “chat-hopping”—the tedious process of opening individual conversations just to check if someone is available to talk.
1. The “Contacts Hub”: How It Works
The new feature will not be a simple green dot on your main chat list. Instead, WhatsApp is creating a unified section, likely within the App Settings or the New Chat menu, to manage real-time availability.
- Real-Time List: A dedicated list will display contacts who have the app open and are connected to the internet.
- Smart Sorting: Users can sort this list by Name (Alphabetical) or by Online Status. When sorted by status, active users are pinned to the top, followed by contacts who were “Last Seen” recently.
- Group Interaction: The hub will also show active participants in your large groups, making it easier to see who is currently engaging in a fast-moving conversation without scrolling through hundreds of messages.
2. Privacy First: The “Invisible” Rule
To prevent this from becoming a privacy nightmare, Meta has integrated strict guardrails that respect your existing settings.
| Privacy Setting | Impact on the Online List |
| “Last Seen” = Nobody | You will not appear in the list based on your last activity, but you will appear if you are actively online. |
| “Online” = Same as Last Seen | If you have hidden your online status entirely, you will remain completely invisible in the hub at all times. |
| Reciprocity Rule | Just like “Read Receipts,” if you hide your own online status, you will likely be unable to see the “Online” status of others in this dedicated hub. |
3. Contact Suggestions & AI Integration
The hub is more than just a list of names; it’s designed to be a “social engine” for the app.
- Unsaved Contacts: WhatsApp will use the hub to suggest saving numbers of people you frequently interact with in group chats but haven’t added to your address book.
- Meta AI Writing Help: Reports suggest that from within this hub, you may be able to tap a contact and use Meta AI to draft a “context-aware” opening message or response.
4. Part of the “Great 2026 Redesign”
This feature is just one piece of a massive UI overhaul WhatsApp is undergoing this year:
- Username Era: WhatsApp is officially transitioning away from phone numbers. By June 2026, all business accounts must support Usernames (@handle), with a consumer rollout expected shortly after.
- Dual Accounts on iOS: iPhone users finally received the ability to run two separate accounts on one device this week, a feature that was previously exclusive to Android.
- Plus Tier: A rumored “WhatsApp Plus” subscription tier is also in development, which may offer “Unified Chat Settings” and custom lists for power users.
5. When Can You Use It?
- Beta Testers: Rolling out now to select users on Android Beta v2.26.13.3.
- Global Release: Expected to reach all users (iOS and Android) by late Q2 or early Q3 2026, once the privacy feedback from the beta phase is fully integrated.
