WhatsApp Payments feature, which is based on India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI), is now live on iOS and Android. The most-requested feature will let users send and receive money directly via WhatsApp
WhatsApp Payments feature based on India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is now live on iOS and Android. The long-awaited feature will let users send and receive money directly via WhatsApp. However, it does not look like the service will support merchant payments for now. The peer-to-peer UPI payments feature has been rolled for Android and iOS versions of the app. The Facebook-owned company has not yet put a FAQ page on payments, but the terms and service page as well as privacy policy page are live. Users can check these out before turning on Payments service on WhatsApp.
It should be pointed out that not all users will see the Payments option in their WhatsApp. However, the feature gets activated after someone with Payments feature live for them messages the user. After receiving a message, the other user should relaunch the app and Payments will reflect in WhatsApp’s settings. In our case, Payments is now working on iOS after we tried this method.
WhatsApp was so far conducting beta-testing for the Payments feature on the Android version of the app. However, it looks like the feature is now being rolled out to both iOS and Android, though as already noted above it will not be visible for everyone immediately.
Payments on WhatsApp will appear in settings. It will rely on India’s UPI to allow for direct bank transfers. WhatsApp appears to have partnered with ICICI Bank for facilitating UPI payments. Users will have to accept the terms and conditions and verify their mobile number again via SMS to activate UPI. The list of Banks supported on UPI is fairly comprehensive. Popular banks like HDFC, Axis, ICICI, SBI, Yes Bank, Allahabad Bank, Punjab National Bank, etc all are on the list.
