WhatsApp has introduced a new feature enabling users in India to complete prepaid mobile recharges directly within the app. Powered by PayU, the feature is being rolled out in phases across Android and iOS, with wider availability expected in the coming weeks.
With this update, users can recharge their own or others’ prepaid mobile numbers seamlessly, without leaving the app. The feature supports major telecom operators including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, offering a range of plans to choose from for quick and convenient transactions.
To improve accessibility, WhatsApp has introduced a dedicated rupee (₹) icon on the home screen, serving as a central gateway for payments and recharges. This feature also enables easy access to UPI-based transactions, metro ticket bookings, and other digital services integrated within the platform.
Commenting on the launch, Ravi Garg, Director, Business Messaging, Meta India, said: “WhatsApp has become an essential part of how people communicate and increasingly how they manage everyday tasks. By integrating mobile recharges into the app, we are simplifying a routine activity and creating a more unified, seamless experience for users.”
Echoing this, Hemang Dattani, Chief Business Officer, PayU Payments, said: “At PayU, we believe payments should be embedded within platforms people already use daily. Bringing recharges to WhatsApp allows users to complete a frequent transaction effortlessly, without switching between apps. This partnership reflects our commitment to making digital payments more accessible and intuitive.”
This launch builds on WhatsApp’s growing role in India’s digital ecosystem, where users already leverage the platform for bill payments, metro ticketing, and access to government services. By integrating mobile recharges, WhatsApp continues to evolve into a comprehensive, all-in-one platform for everyday digital needs.
