WhatsApp has added a new way for users in India to handle household and utility bills directly within the messaging app. The Bill Payments feature, launched on Thursday, uses the Bharat Connect (BBPS) network and supports access to 22,722 billers across 30 categories.
The feature covers payments for electricity, gas, water, FASTag, insurance, credit cards and loan repayments, among other categories. It is being rolled out gradually and will reach Android and iOS users across India over the coming weeks.
How WhatsApp Bill Payments works
The new feature expands WhatsApp’s existing in-app payment services, which already include mobile recharges and other transactions. Users can access Bill Payments by opening WhatsApp and tapping the ₹ icon at the top of the home screen.
They can then select a bill category and biller, enter and confirm their account details, and check the fetched bill amount before completing the payment.
Payments can be made using UPI, debit cards or credit cards.
WhatsApp has also added a household bills summary. Bills can be pre-fetched, while billers previously paid through WhatsApp will appear on the Payments Home screen for one-tap access.
Users can also manage multiple accounts under a single biller. This can help those handling bills for their home, office or family members.
The Payments Home screen will automatically show popular bill categories. Users can use the See All option to browse the complete list of more than 20 categories.
The company says the feature is designed to allow users to complete bill payments without moving to another app.
Powered by Bharat Connect (BBPS), the service supports 22,722 billers across 30 categories. The rollout is underway across India, with availability expected for all Android and iOS users in the coming weeks.
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