WhatsApp launches in-app bill payments in India

WhatsApp has launched a new bill payment feature in India, allowing users to manage and pay utility and financial bills directly within the messaging app. The service is powered by the Bharat Connect (formerly BBPS) network, providing access to approximately 22,722 billers across 30 different categories.

Supported payment categories include electricity, water, piped gas, FASTag, insurance, credit card bills, and loan repayments. Users can access the feature by tapping the rupee icon on the WhatsApp home screen. Payments can be completed using UPI, debit cards, or credit cards.

The feature is being rolled out gradually to both Android and iOS users across the country. It includes tools to view past and upcoming bills, as well as the ability to manage multiple accounts under a single service provider, such as different connections for home and office. Meta India Managing Director Arun Srinivas stated that the goal is to make bill payments as simple as sending a message, reducing the need for users to switch between multiple applications.