WhatsApp Beta Update Introduces 'Recently Online' Feature for iOS Users

WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform, has updated the iOS version to 24.9.10.71 to introduce a new feature called "Recently Online," which aims to enhance user experience by providing insights into the online status of contacts.

This new feature, as revealed by Wabetainfo, is now being rolled out to some beta testers, marking a significant step towards improving communication dynamics within the app. 

However, it's important to note that this feature isn't available to all users immediately. Instead, WhatsApp plans to gradually extend its availability to more users over the coming weeks.

The "Recently Online" feature serves as an enhancement to the messaging experience, offering users a glimpse into the online activity of their contacts. 

It's designed to provide a snapshot of recent online status rather than a real-time update for all contacts. This means that users will be able to see who among their contacts has been active recently, aiding in more timely communication initiation.

An important aspect of this feature is its adherence to user privacy preferences. Contacts who have chosen to disable their last seen and online status won't appear in this list, ensuring that user privacy remains paramount.

Previously, a similar feature was introduced for Android users, allowing them to view the online status of their contacts. With this update, WhatsApp aims to extend the same functionality to iOS users, aligning the user experience across different operating systems.

Beta testers who have access to the latest update of WhatsApp beta for iOS can now explore this feature through the TestFlight app. However, users who possess the same version but don't see the feature yet need not fret, as it will gradually become available to more users in the coming weeks.