WhatsApp Rolls Out In-App Prepaid Mobile Recharge Feature in India, Partners with PayU
The rollout allows users to recharge their own numbers or those of friends and family through a streamlined interface.
New ₹ icon simplifies access to payments, recharges, and UPI services within the app
Mumbai: WhatsApp has introduced a prepaid mobile recharge feature for users in India, enabling them to recharge their phones directly within the app. The feature, powered by PayU, is being rolled out in phases across Android and iOS devices and is expected to reach all users in the coming weeks.
The rollout allows users to recharge their own numbers or those of friends and family through a streamlined interface. Customers using prepaid connections from major telecom operators such as Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea can browse available plans and complete transactions without leaving the app.
Ravi Garg, Director, Business Messaging at Meta India, said the feature reflects the platform’s evolution into a multi-utility service. “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,” he said.
As part of the update, WhatsApp has introduced a rupee (₹) icon on the home screen, offering quick access to payments, including UPI transfers, recharge services, and metro ticketing integrations. The feature is also accessible within individual chat threads, enabling users to send payments seamlessly while conversing.
Hemang Dattani, Chief Business Officer at PayU Payments, said the integration aligns with the growing shift toward embedded finance. “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,” he noted, adding that the partnership with Meta aims to simplify high-frequency digital transactions.
The move builds on WhatsApp’s expanding role in India’s digital ecosystem, where users already leverage the platform for services such as bill payments, metro ticket bookings, and access to government chatbots. With prepaid mobile recharges now integrated, the platform is further consolidating everyday utilities into a single interface.
How to use the recharge feature
Users can access the service by tapping the ₹ icon on the home screen, selecting ‘Mobile Prepaid Recharge,’ choosing the number and operator, picking a plan, and completing the payment via UPI, debit card, or credit card.
About Meta
Meta is focused on building next-generation digital experiences powered by artificial intelligence and immersive technologies, with platforms including Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp serving billions globally.
About PayU
PayU is a diversified fintech platform backed by Prosus, offering payment gateway solutions and digital financial services to over 4.5 lakh businesses in India, supporting more than 100 payment methods across online ecosystems.
