WhatsApp will list online contacts separately from the rest of the user list

WhatsApp for iPhone: Updated contact list in beta version

In the latest test build of the app published on the WABetaInfo website, a new view of the contact list has appeared. It is intended to make it easier to determine which of your acquaintances are currently online and who was active recently.

How status visibility works
- Privacy settings: each user can decide who is allowed to see their “online” status.

- Checking another contact’s status: to find out if a specific person is online, you need to open a chat with them. At the top of the chat window an online‑status indicator and the date of last activity are displayed.

What’s new in the beta version
WhatsApp is developing an “Online List” feature that will allow you to see all active contacts at once without having to open individual conversations:

1. Favorites – at the top of the list.
2. Current online contacts – below favorites.
3. Recently active – at the bottom.

How to access it
The new section will be added to the app’s settings menu and will be protected by the same privacy rules as the current status indicator. The exact release date for the feature has not yet been announced.