Patna: WhatsApp has introduced a new feature in India that allows users to recharge prepaid mobile phones directly through the app. The update was launched on April 23 and is expected to make digital payments simpler for millions of users. With this new service, people no longer need to open separate UPI apps or visit websites to recharge their phones. The feature is being rolled out gradually for both Android and iPhone users and should become available to everyone over the next few weeks.
The company has launched this service in partnership with PayU. Through this feature, users can recharge their own mobile number or help friends and family by recharging theirs. Customers using prepaid SIM cards from major telecom companies like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea can check available plans and make payments without leaving the app. This saves time and makes the whole process faster and more convenient.
To make the feature easy to find, WhatsApp has added a new “Rs” icon on the home screen. This icon opens the payments section, where users can access UPI payments, mobile recharges and even some metro ticket booking services. The same icon is also visible inside chat windows, allowing users to send money directly to friends or family members while chatting. This new addition shows WhatsApp’s growing focus on turning the app into an all-in-one platform for communication and digital payments.
The process to recharge a mobile number on WhatsApp is simple. Users need to tap the “Rs” icon and choose the “Mobile Prepaid Recharge” option. Then they can select their own number or enter another number, confirm the mobile operator and choose a suitable recharge plan. After that, they can select a payment method such as UPI, debit card or credit card and complete the payment. Once the payment is successful, the recharge is done instantly. This feature is expected to be useful for people who want a quick and easy way to manage their mobile recharges in one place.
