WhatsApp is reportedly developing a dedicated Contacts tab for Android that could bring contact search, online status, birthday reminders and other contact-management features into one place.
WhatsApp Is Working on a Dedicated Contacts Tab
WhatsApp could soon make it easier for users to find and manage people they know through a new dedicated Contacts tab. The feature is currently under development for Android and has been spotted in WhatsApp beta version 2.26.40.3, but it is not yet available to beta testers.
The move represents a change from WhatsApp’s earlier approach. The company had previously been working on an online-contacts list that would have been placed inside the app’s settings. The latest development suggests WhatsApp is instead turning the idea into a standalone section accessible directly from the app’s navigation.
Search Contacts by Name, Number or Username
The new Contacts tab will reportedly have a search bar at the top of the screen. Users could use it to look for people by their name, phone number or WhatsApp username.
This is particularly relevant as WhatsApp continues expanding its username system. The platform has been gradually introducing usernames that allow people to connect without necessarily sharing their phone number, making username-based contact discovery more useful within the app.
The contact list could also be sorted in two ways: by activity or alphabetically. The activity option would place contacts who are currently online towards the top, while the alphabetical option would organise the complete list by name.
Green Dot Could Show Who Is Online
WhatsApp is reportedly planning to display a green dot over a contact’s profile picture when that person is online. For contacts who are offline, their last-seen information could be displayed when their privacy settings allow it.
The feature will still respect WhatsApp’s existing privacy controls. If a user has hidden their online status or last-seen information, the corresponding information will not be exposed through the Contacts tab. This means the new section is not expected to override individual privacy settings.
Birthday Reminders Could Appear Next to Contacts
Another potentially useful addition is birthday reminders. WhatsApp is reportedly working on displaying a cake emoji and a “Birthday today” label next to contacts whose birthday falls on that day.
The birthday information would reportedly come from the phone’s address book rather than requiring users to enter the date separately inside WhatsApp. Users who have already saved a contact’s birthday in their phone’s Contacts app could therefore see the reminder when the feature becomes available.
The feature has also been spotted in WhatsApp’s iOS development work, suggesting birthday reminders could eventually become part of the broader Contacts experience across platforms.
Meta AI and Invite Options Could Also Be Included
The Contacts tab could include more than just the address book. Reports indicate that WhatsApp may place a shortcut to Meta AI below the contact list, while an “Invite a friend” option could appear towards the bottom for users who want to invite people who are not yet on WhatsApp.
If implemented, the new section would effectively combine several functions that are currently spread across different parts of WhatsApp and the phone’s address book.
When Will WhatsApp Release the Contacts Tab?
There is currently no confirmed public release date for the new Contacts tab. WABetaInfo says the feature is still under development and is not available to beta testers at this stage. WhatsApp could change the design or functionality before a wider rollout.
For now, the development points to WhatsApp expanding its role from a messaging application into a more comprehensive contact and communication hub. The combination of usernames, online activity, birthday reminders and contact search could make the app’s contact-management experience considerably more central to everyday use.
