- WhatsApp rolls out in-app prepaid recharges across India, powered by PayU
- New ₹ icon simplifies access to payments, UPI and daily transactions
- Supports Jio, Airtel, Vi users with seamless plan selection and instant recharge
- Move deepens WhatsApp’s push to become India’s all-in-one digital utility app
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
Mumbai, Apr 23
In a major step towards building an all-in-one digital ecosystem, WhatsApp has introduced prepaid mobile recharge services directly within the app, allowing users in India to top up their numbers without switching platforms.
The feature, powered by PayU, is being rolled out in phases across Android and iOS, and will soon be available to all users nationwide.
With this integration, users can recharge their own or others’ mobile numbers across leading telecom operators including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, choosing from a range of plans within a few taps—making the process quick, intuitive and hassle-free.
Ravi Garg, Director, Business Messaging, Meta India, said: “In India, WhatsApp is where people connect with friends and family — and increasingly, where they complete everyday essential tasks. By bringing recharges directly into WhatsApp, we are making it easier for people to stay connected without having to juggle between multiple apps. This is part of our continued effort to build a more unified experience on WhatsApp, where people can get more done in one place, in a way that is simple, reliable, and seamless.”
To further streamline access, WhatsApp has introduced a ₹ icon on the home screen, acting as a gateway to payments, UPI transfers, metro ticketing and other essential services—all within the chat interface. Users can also access the payment feature directly within individual chats to send money instantly.
Highlighting the partnership, Hemang Dattani, Chief Business Officer, PayU Payments, said:
“At PayU, we believe the best payment experience is one that is naturally embedded in the platforms where users already spend their time. WhatsApp is part of daily life for people across the country, and mobile recharges are a routine digital transaction. Bringing recharges to WhatsApp allows users to complete a task they perform regularly within an app they already have open—that’s what embedded payments should feel like. Our partnership with Meta reflects our commitment to making high-frequency transactions simpler, more accessible, and effortless.”
The recharge process is designed to be simple—users tap the ₹ icon, select prepaid recharge, choose the number and operator, pick a plan, and complete payment via UPI, debit or credit card.
This launch builds on WhatsApp’s growing role in India’s digital ecosystem, where users already book metro tickets, pay bills and access government services. By integrating mobile recharges, the platform is expanding its utility—bringing another high-frequency task into a single, seamless experience.
