The rollout of WhatsApp Payments has started from India which means that the company is looking to end the dominance of apps like Paytm, Google Tez, and other digital wallet app that have been around for a long time. Also read: 10 secret WhatsApp tricks you (probably) didn't know about With over 200 million monthly active users in India, WhatsApp shouldn't face any trouble bringing its large user base to get a taste of Payments feature. Facebook's move to bring Payments feature to India first on WhatsApp clearly seems a way to cash in on the digital payment in its early days. The WhatsApp Payments feature was being tested as a beta feature with select users but now more users have started receiving the feature. Also read: WhatsApp UPI-based payments feature rolling out in India
How to send money using WhatsApp payments
With over 200 million monthly active users in India, WhatsApp shouldn't face any trouble bringing its large user base to get a taste of Payments feature. Facebook's move to bring Payments feature to India first on WhatsApp clearly seems a way to cash in on the digital payment in its early days. The WhatsApp Payments feature was being tested as a beta feature with select users but now more users have started receiving the feature. Also read: WhatsApp UPI-based payments feature rolling out in India
It was no secret as WhatsApp was reportedly in talks with top Indian banks for months to integrate Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Unlike previously believed, the WhatsApp Payments feature is being rolled out to both Android as well as iOS users simultaneously.
How to send money using WhatsApp payments
Before getting started with WhatsApp Payments, users will have to note few things like:
- For WhatsApp Payments to work, both sender and receiver should be running the latest WhatsApp version as well as have WhatsApp Payments option enabled.
- Another important fact is WhatsApp number should be same as your mobile number linked to your bank account with UPI option support as well.
On tapping the option, users will be welcomed by a new message saying "Send and receive money securely with UPI" and users need to tap on "Accept and Continue" to start accepting the WhatsApp Payments. The users will be also offered the Terms and Privacy policy and the payment provider's terms and privacy policy which they can read or just skip to the next option.
Users then will have to verify their phone numbers by choosing "Verify via SMS" and that can be done by tapping on the green coloured send button on the next screen to send a verification SMS from your phone. It's worth noting that the SMS charges will be applicable.
Once the WhatsApp number has been configured then add your bank from a vast list of over 70 banks. WhatsApp has managed to get all major banks for its new WhatsApp Payments feature on-board which include Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, Yes Bank, Airtel Payments Bank, Allahabad Bank, Andhra Bank, Bank of Baroda, and more.
If you already have UPI option enabled with your bank then you will need to verify with SMS.
New users need not to worry as WhatsApp Payments offers an option to create a UPI accountwith a pin (much like your ATM pin) for authenticating the payments. This can be done in less than 10 minutes by just following the instructions.
Users need to remember that the WhatsApp number and the mobile number registered with your bank should be same or else you need to get it linked with your bank before proceeding with WhatsApp Payments.
Once the transaction is complete, WhatsApp also notifies the user about the money sent to a contact. You can also keep a track of Payments from within the app, by using the Payment history option in WhatsApp.
Try the methods above and let us know in the comments section whether the payment went through or not.
COMMENTS