Meta-owned WhatsApp has introduced a bill payments feature in India, enabling users to find, manage, and pay household and utility bills directly within the app. The feature, powered by the Bharat Connect network, offers access to 22,722 billers across 30 categories, including electricity, gas, water, FASTag, insurance, credit cards, and loan repayments. It is being rolled out gradually to Android and iOS users across India over the coming weeks, according to inc42.com.
Users can access the bill payments feature by tapping the “₹” icon on the WhatsApp home screen, selecting a bill category and biller, entering their account details, and viewing the outstanding amount. Payments can be made using UPI, debit cards, or credit cards. The app also allows managing multiple accounts under a single biller, such as different utility connections for homes or offices. Users can view past payments and upcoming bills within the app. Arun Srinivas, MD and country head of Meta India, said the feature aims to simplify routine household tasks and bring digital payment convenience to remote parts of the country, inc42.com reported.
This launch marks WhatsApp’s expansion beyond messaging into digital payments, competing with established players like PhonePe and Google Pay in India’s growing payments market. The integration of bill payments within a widely used messaging app could increase adoption among users who prefer a single platform for communication and financial transactions. The feature’s broad biller network and multiple payment options position WhatsApp as a significant player in India’s digital payments ecosystem, according to inc42.com.
The bill payments feature will be available to all WhatsApp users in India on Android and iOS as the rollout continues over the next few weeks, inc42.com confirmed.