WhatsApp launches bill payments in India

Meta-owned WhatsApp has introduced a bill payment feature in India, expanding its services beyond messaging. Users can now find, manage, and pay household and utility bills directly within the WhatsApp application, entering direct competition with local payment services like PhonePe and Google Pay.

The feature, powered by the Bharat Connect network, provides access to over 22,700 billers across 30 categories, including electricity, gas, water, FASTag, insurance, and loan repayments. The rollout is gradual and will become available to Android and iOS users across India in the coming weeks.

Users can initiate payments by tapping the "₹" icon on the WhatsApp home screen, selecting a bill category and biller, entering account details, and viewing the outstanding amount. Payments can be made using UPI, a debit card, or a credit card. WhatsApp also allows users to manage multiple accounts under a single biller, such as different utility connections or family member accounts.

The launch reinforces Meta's ambition to deepen its presence in India's rapidly growing digital payments market. While WhatsApp Pay already supports UPI payments and mobile recharges, the bill payment feature directly challenges established players. The company aims to make paying bills as effortless as sending a message, supporting wider digital payment adoption in the country.

WhatsApp Pay still has ground to cover to reach the transaction volumes of market leaders like PhonePe and Google Pay in India. However, recent changes, including the removal of user caps for UPI services, provide a better foundation for increased competition.