WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new feature for its users in India, enabling them to make bill payments through the platform. Back in November 2020, WhatsApp introduced the ability to send and receive money via Unified Payment Interface (UPI) for select users in the country. Recently, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) lifted the UPI onboarding limit for the Meta-owned app, allowing it to expand its payment services to all users across India.
WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new feature that will enable users in India to make bill payments directly through the app. This feature was discovered during an APK teardown of WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.25.3.15 by Android Authority, suggesting the platform is looking to expand its financial services in the country. The feature is expected to support various bill categories, including electricity, mobile recharges, LPG gas, water, landline, and rent payments.
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While still in development, an empty activity for the bill payment option has already been added to the beta version of WhatsApp. Although the release timeline is unclear, it is expected to reach beta testers in India before rolling out to all users. However, the report suggests that WhatsApp may face regulatory and logistical challenges before officially launching the service in the country. WhatsApp already offers UPI payments for contacts and businesses in India.
The report highlights that this new feature was discovered shortly after the NPCI removed the user onboarding cap for WhatsApp Pay, allowing the platform to compete directly with dedicated payment services like PhonePe and Google Pay. Additionally, last year, WhatsApp was seen testing an option to enable users to make international payments through the app.
For the unversed, WhatsApp users can now engage with ChatGPT using image and voice inputs, extending beyond the text-based queries launched in December 2024. This update enables users to send photos or memes to ChatGPT for analysis, receiving text-based insights in response.
