WhatsApp on your Galaxy phone may soon start showing an online counter in group chats, telling you the number of people currently using the app. The new feature is now available for select beta users worldwide. The counter may roll out to all users in the coming weeks.
WhatsApp is testing an online user counter to improve timing in group chats
First spotted by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.25.30 now displays the number of group members online at the top of group chats. “X online,” the counter appears below the group name where X indicates the number of online members. This feature helps users know when most members are active, allowing for better timing to message or initiate discussions.
Previously, WhatsApp showed a summary of the group participants’ names below the group name. If someone starts typing a message, the bar reflects that too. The new online counter replaces those metrics. While the typing indicator was valuable, the online counter is pretty helpful too. It’s unclear if the top bar will switch between the two info according to the situation.
According to the report, this online counter only tracks people with the app open. If you keep the app active in the background, it doesn’t count you as online. The feature also respects privacy settings by not including users who choose to hide their online status. It aligns with WhatsApp’s broader strategy to refine group communication tools.
As said earlier, the new feature is currently available for beta users only. You can join the WhatsApp beta program through the Google Play Store by clicking here. Once registered, you will receive updates with beta versions of the app. Note that beta versions may have stability issues as they contain experimental features. These features are rolled out to all users after a few weeks of testing.
