The rollout is taking place in phases across both Android and iOS platforms, and the feature may not yet be accessible to all users. When available, it will facilitate recharges for prepaid connections on major telecom services like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea.
Users can recharge their own numbers or those of others by tapping a new ₹ icon on the app’s home screen, which acts as a shortcut to the payments section. Once they select the prepaid recharge option, users can pick a mobile number, confirm the operator, explore available plans, and finalize the transaction using payment methods like UPI, debit cards, or credit cards.
The ₹ shortcut has also been incorporated within individual chat windows, enabling users to initiate payments or access services while chatting. Besides recharges, the payments section offers access to UPI-based transfers and other services available on the platform.
This development enhances WhatsApp’s growing array of use cases in India, where the app is already utilized for services such as bill payments, metro ticket bookings in select cities, and engagements with businesses and government chatbots.
