New Delhi: WhatsApp has launched a new payment feature after getting approval from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). While the app is similar to its competitors, the already has 400 million people using the messaging app.
The popular messaging app added WhatsApp Pay feature to the Indian version after a considerable delay initially due to data localization norms introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). "WhatsApp can expand its UPI user base in a graded manner starting with a maximum registered user base of twenty (20) million in UPI," said NCPI, which has created a full payment and settlement infrastructure in the country and changed the way payments are made in India through a bouquet of retail payment products. UPI is a direct settlement between bank accounts and does not require a separate mobile wallet to be created unlike Paytm.

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If you were already using the beta version of the app, you already are registered. Get on to the chat window with the person whom you need to transfer money to. Click on ‘attachments’, select ‘payments’, enter the amount to be transferred and authenticate using the UPI pin.
Otherwise, you can join with these simple steps:
1. Open WhatsApp on your smartphone.
2. Click on the three-dotted options icon and tap 'Payments'.
3. Select 'Add payment method'.
4. Select your bank.
5. Click on 'Verify via SMS'. You need to make sure that you are using the same mobile number on WhatsApp that is associated with your bank. The app will run a mobile number verification.
6. After the verification process, you will be asked to select your bank account. Select your bank account and click on 'Done'.

Is Whatsapp Pay different?

UPI payment apps like Gpay etc were developed with a singular idea of payments but WhatsApp started out as a messaging platform. Unlike other payment platforms where you can pay bills and make other payments, WhatsApp Pay currently only provides peer to peer payments. WhatsApp Pay will soon be available to be used on websites like Amazon and Flipkart though as of now, these integrations are not there soon it will be seen as a payment option during checkout.