WhatsApp enables prepaid recharges via PayU integration

By Parth Prabhudesai

WhatsApp has introduced a new prepaid mobile recharge feature in India, enabling users to complete recharges directly within the app. The service, powered by PayU, is being rolled out in phases across Android and iOS and will be available to all users in the coming weeks.

The feature allows users to recharge their own mobile numbers or those of friends and family in a few simple steps. It currently supports major telecom operators, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, offering a range of prepaid plans within the app.

As part of the update, WhatsApp has introduced a rupee (₹) icon on the home screen, providing quick access to payments and recharge services. The icon also serves as an entry point for UPI-based transactions, allowing users to send money and access services such as metro ticketing within the app.

Ravi Garg, Director, Business Messaging at Meta India, said: “By bringing recharges directly into WhatsApp, we are making it easier for people to stay connected without switching between multiple apps. This reflects our effort to create a unified and seamless user experience.”

Hemang Dattani, Chief Business Officer at PayU Payments, added: “Bringing mobile recharges to WhatsApp allows users to complete a routine transaction within a platform they already use daily. This is a natural step toward making digital payments more accessible and embedded.”

The move builds on WhatsApp’s growing role in everyday digital services in India, where users already utilise the platform for bill payments, ticket bookings, and business interactions. By integrating mobile recharges, the company is further strengthening its position as a multi-functional digital platform for high-frequency transactions.