WhatsApp May Let You Make International UPI Payments Soon

AssembleDebug, on X, formerly known as Twitter, posted that WhatsApp is in the process of developing a new feature aimed at facilitating international UPI payments within India.

In India, Meta-owned WhatsApp offers users the ability to send and receive payments using the UPI.

Source : Getty

Meta, the parent company of world's most-popular messaging platform WhatsApp, has been observed developing international payment capabilities via Unified Payment Interface (UPI). According to noted app researcher AssembleDebug, users will have the option to enable or disable this feature within WhatsApp's Bank account details page. Activating it will give users the ability to send payments to businesses in eligible countries for a maximum of three months.

AssembleDebug, on X, formerly known as Twitter, posted that WhatsApp is in the process of developing a new feature aimed at facilitating international UPI payments within India. A screenshot of the app showcases an upcoming addition to the UPI settings section, denoted as 'International payments.'

"International Payments on WhatsApp through UPI for Indian users. This is currently not available for users. But WhatsApp might be working on it as I couldn't find anything on Google about it. Apps like Phonepe, GPay and some others already support this. #Whatsapp," the tipster posted on X.

International Payments on WhatsApp through UPI for Indian users.

This is currently not available for users. But WhatsApp might be working on it as I couldn't find anything on Google about it.

Apps like Phonepe, GPay and some others already support this. #Whatsapp pic.twitter.com/OE2COo89eZ

— AssembleDebug (@AssembleDebug) March 25, 2024

In India, Meta-owned WhatsApp offers users the ability to send and receive payments using the UPI, a homegrown developed payments system. However, it entered the payment space in the country relatively late, trailing behind noted UPI payment applications like Google Pay and PhonePe. Furthermore, WhatsApp falls short in the competition due to its limited support for UPI features. Notably, it lacks the capability for international payments through UPI, which is a feature available on other leading platforms.

Additionally, the screenshots hint at the possibility of setting shorter durations for international payments within WhatsApp.

When chosen, users will receive a prompt to enable international UPI payments and designate a timeframe, extending up to three months, for conducting transactions with businesses in designated countries.

The international payment feature within WhatsApp via UPI is presently undergoing development, which means it is not yet accessible for all users in India.

To increase your likelihood of gaining early access to this feature, consider joining the WhatsApp beta programme, which provides access to new features ahead of their general release to the public.