Today, WhatsApp is introducing a new feature for its users in India, allowing them to complete prepaid mobile recharges directly within the app. This development aims to simplify the process of staying connected by enabling users to handle this everyday task without leaving the application they frequently use.
With this feature, individuals can recharge their own mobile numbers or those of friends and family in just a few straightforward steps, eliminating the need to switch between different applications. Users with prepaid connections on Jio, Airtel, and Vi can browse available plans and complete their recharges directly within WhatsApp. The feature is being rolled out in phases for both Android and iOS users and is expected to be accessible to everyone in the coming weeks.
Ravi Garg, Director of Business Messaging at Meta India, stated, “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 switch between multiple apps. This is part of our continued effort to help people get more done on WhatsApp, all in one place.”
Additionally, WhatsApp is enhancing the ease of discovering and using payments within the app. A new ₹ icon provides users with a clear and recognizable entry point to utilize UPI on WhatsApp, access prepaid recharges, and connect with metro services that offer WhatsApp-based ticketing. Users can also tap the ₹ icon in the chat tab to conveniently send money to friends and family using UPI.
To complete a prepaid mobile recharge on WhatsApp, users simply need to:
- Tap on the ₹ icon
- Select Mobile Prepaid Recharge
- Choose the number (self, family, or friends)
- Confirm the operator
- Select a plan
- Choose a payment method (UPI, debit card, or credit card)
- Confirm the payment
This launch further expands the role WhatsApp plays in the daily lives of people in India, from messaging and payments to booking metro tickets and accessing government services through chatbots. Now, with the addition of prepaid recharges, users can accomplish even more within a single, familiar app.
