WhatsApp has begun allowing users in India to pay household bills directly through the messaging app.
Powered by the Bharat Connect (BBPS) network, the feature provides access to 22,722 billers across 30 categories.
These include electricity, gas, water, FASTag, insurance, credit card bills and loan repayments.
Users can access WhatsApp bill payments by tapping the ₹ icon at the top of the home screen.
They can view past payments and upcoming bills, have their bills fetched automatically and manage accounts for their home, office and family under the same provider.
Users can pay through India’s Unified Payments Interface, debit cards or credit cards.
Billers previously paid through the feature will appear on the payments home screen for quicker access, while frequently used categories will be displayed automatically.
Arun Srinivas, Managing Director and Country Head of Meta India, said,
“For millions of Indians, WhatsApp is already the simplest way to stay close to family and friends, talk to businesses, access citizen services, and buy everything from metro tickets to insurance – all without leaving the app.
With Bill payments, we’re bringing that same simplicity to one of the most routine tasks in every household. No more juggling apps or tracking multiple due dates.”
WhatsApp already supports mobile phone recharges, metro ticket purchases and government chatbot services in India.
WhatsApp bill payments are being introduced gradually and will become available to all Android and iOS users across India over the coming weeks.
Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Meta
