WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new feature aimed at users in India, which will enable them to make bill payments directly through the messaging platform. This development was uncovered during an APK teardown conducted by Android Authority.
WhatsApp set to introduce bill payments for users in its largest market.
Users in India may soon be able to pay electricity, mobile, rent, and other bills through WhatsApp.
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Currently WhatsApp allows users to pay businesses and send money… pic.twitter.com/UkBcMqDejk — AssembleDebug (Shiv) (@AssembleDebug) February 6, 2025
The feature is currently in the beta phase for Android version 2.25.3.15, indicating that the Meta-owned application is keen on broadening its financial services within the country.
According to the report, this new functionality is expected to facilitate direct bill payments via the WhatsApp app. The types of bills that may be supported include electricity bills, mobile prepaid recharges, LPG gas payments, water bills, landline postpaid bills, and rent payments.
Although the bill payment feature is still under development, an empty activity for it has already been integrated into the aforementioned beta version of WhatsApp.
While a specific release timeline has not been disclosed, it is anticipated that beta testers in India will gain access to this feature prior to its rollout on the stable update channel. The publication also notes that the platform may encounter regulatory or logistical hurdles before the service can be launched in India.
Currently, WhatsApp allows users to conduct UPI payments to both contacts and businesses. Furthermore, this new feature emerged following the National Payments Corporation of India's (NPCI) decision to remove the user onboarding limit for WhatsApp Pay, enabling it to compete more effectively with established payment platforms such as PhonePe and Google Pay.
Additionally, last year, the Meta-owned messaging service was observed testing a feature that would allow users to make international payments through the app.Also Read: iPhone SE 4 to share A18 chip with iPhone 16; iPad 11th gen rumored to get A16 Bionic
