WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new feature aimed at users in India that would facilitate bill payments directly through the messaging platform. The introduction of the ability to send and receive money via the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) began in November 2020 for select users within the country. Following a recent change by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which eliminated the UPI onboarding limit for WhatsApp, the company can now extend its payment services to the entire user base in India.
WhatsApp Users May Soon be Able to Make Direct Bill Payments
The anticipated feature for direct bill payments was uncovered during an APK teardown conducted by Android Authority. Developers noted it is in progress within WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.25.3.15, indicating the Meta-owned app’s intention to enhance its financial services in the region.
According to reports, this upcoming feature will enable users to handle various bill payments directly through the WhatsApp interface. Possible categories for transactions may include electricity bills, mobile prepaid recharges, LPG gas payments, water bills, landline postpaid bills, and rent payments.
While the bill payment function is still under development, there is already a placeholder activity introduced in the current beta version of WhatsApp. However, details regarding a release timeline remain unclear. It is expected that beta testers in India will gain access to the feature before it becomes available to the wider audience through stable updates.
Experts suggest that WhatsApp may encounter regulatory or logistical hurdles prior to launching the feature in India. At present, users can make UPI transactions to both contacts and businesses via the app.
Additionally, this development comes in light of the NPCI lifting the user onboarding cap for WhatsApp Pay, placing it in direct competition with established payment services, such as PhonePe and Google Pay. Last year, the platform was also observed experimenting with an option for users to make international payments using the app.
