WhatsApp is developing a new feature aimed at suggesting contacts for users to engage with. Identified as the Recently Online list, this feature will display the names of contacts who have recently logged into the application. The intent behind this functionality appears to be aiding users in identifying individuals who are more likely to respond to messages or calls, though it will not indicate who is currently online, instead offering a general overview of recent app activity.
A report from WABetaInfo, a source tracking updates for WhatsApp, reveals that the messaging service is testing this feature in the WhatsApp beta for iOS version 24.8.10.70, accessible through the TestFlight application. While the feature is currently available to a select group of beta testers, it has not yet been widely released. Notably, a similar feature has also been identified in the WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.9.14, suggesting that both platforms may soon incorporate this capability.
Under the layout presented in a screenshot by the publication, the Recently Online list will feature on the new chat and call screens, where users can select contacts to message or call. This section will be positioned below the standard menu options, showcasing those contacts who have recently been active. However, details regarding the specific criteria for determining who is considered “recently online” remain unclear, particularly concerning the duration before names are removed from the list.
Moreover, the feature will not display users who are currently online or the last time they were active, a decision likely made to maintain user privacy. Users who have restricted their visibility settings to “nobody” regarding their Last seen status will not appear on the list, although it remains uncertain if they themselves will have access to the Recently Online information.
As it stands, this feature is still in beta testing, but indications suggest it may be available to a broader audience worldwide in the coming weeks.
