WhatsApp UPI payment option goes live for Indian users

WhatsApp, Facebook-owned messaging platform, has been the center of the buzz ever since the rumor mill churned out information about a new feature that would allow users to make payments through UPI method. The feature which was recently spotted on the Beta version has finally made its way to the app with the latest update.

India is amongst the first countries to get the new feature and will be available for all users in coming days. Although the feature has gone live, the iOS users will have to wait a little longer to transfer/receive money through WhatsApp, since it is only released for Android users.

Adding the new payment option to the app, WhatsApp is on its way to becoming something beyond just a messaging platform. WhatsApp will go head-to-head against the likes of already popular mobile wallets such as Paytm, Google Tez, Mobikwik, and others.

The new feature lets users transfer money directly through their bank accounts to their friend's account directly via the app. The app now offers a dedicated option for the UPI-based payment option. Unlike other mobile wallets, the new feature doesn't support payment option for merchants, and users can only make bank-to-bank transfers only.

To use this feature, both sender and receiver should have the updated version of WhatsApp, and more importantly, the WhatsApp number should be the same as linked to the bank account number.

To set up the Payments option, users can head to Setting > Payments, after the app is updated to the latest version. The feature also allows payments by going to chatbox of the contact and select the option to transfer money.

Once the setup is complete, the users get a message that reads "Send and receive money securely with UPI." To start receiving the money, users need to tap on the "Accept and Continue" button.

WhatsApp will allow users to choose from a list of over 70 banks, including major players such as ICICI, HDFC, SBI, and others. Users can also keep a track of the digital payment. The Payment history options lets you know whether the payment has reached receiver's account or not.