WhatsApp is developing a new feature that will let users in India make bill payments directly from the messaging app. An APK teardown of WhatsApp beta version 2.25.3.15 recently revealed this feature. This move suggests that Meta is expanding its financial services to compete with existing digital payment platforms like PhonePe and Google Pay.
WhatsApp to Introduce Bill Payment : Bill Payment Options and Expected Features
The upcoming bill payment feature will support a variety of payment categories, including: Electricity bills Mobile prepaid recharges LPG gas payments Water bills Landline postpaid bills Rent payments.
However , WhatsApp already enables users to make UPI payments to contacts and businesses. Additionally , the new feature will enhance the payment capabilities of the app, enabling direct bill payments within the platform.
WhatsApp’s Increasing Role in Digital Payments
WhatsApp launched UPI-based payments in India in November 2020. It first imposed a restriction on NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) about how many users would be allowed access to the service. Recently, NPCI has removed that cap, allowing the service to gain more users and compete with the other apps used for making payments.
Reports suggest that WhatsApp has already included an empty activity for the bill payment feature in its beta version. While there is no word on a public release date, beta testers in India may get access before the feature rolls out in a stable update.
Although progress has been made, WhatsApp will still face regulatory and logistical hurdles before rolling out bill payments across the country. Digital payments in India are subject to several financial regulations, and Meta will have to ensure smooth integration with existing payment networks.
WhatsApp’s Future Plans in Financial Services
WhatsApp has explored newer payment features related to increasing the features within the platform. According to report last year, it tested a facility for International Payments. However, after removal of the capping on Onboarding by NPCI, service scale of this is no more constrained.
As WhatsApp keeps improving its financial offerings, this bill payment feature could make the app a much more comprehensive payment solution for users in India. More updates should come in the coming months as Meta finalizes its plans on this new service.
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