In a significant move, WhatsApp Pay, powered by UPI, is now accessible to all users in India. Previously, the service faced restrictions due to a 100 million user cap imposed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). With the lifting of this limit, WhatsApp can now offer seamless UPI transactions to its vast user base.
For the past two years, the NPCI capped the user base to ensure security and smooth performance. With this restriction now removed, WhatsApp joins the ranks of leading UPI-enabled apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm, offering users an easy way to send and receive money without leaving the platform.
Expanded Services and Market Impact
In a press release, the NPCI stated, “We are pleased to announce that WhatsApp Pay can now offer UPI services to all its users in India.” This expansion enables users to send and receive money directly through the app, making digital payments more convenient.
Meanwhile, the NPCI has postponed its plan to implement a 30% market share cap on UPI players, offering relief to dominant platforms like PhonePe, which holds over 47% of the market share. The new deadline for this regulation is set for December 2026, allowing companies more time to prepare for compliance.
How to Set Up WhatsApp Pay
- Open WhatsApp.
- Tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
- Select Your Payments.
- Tap Add Payment Method.
- Accept the terms and click Accept.
How to Send Money Using WhatsApp Pay
- Open a chat with the recipient.
- Tap the ₹ symbol at the bottom-right.
- Enter the amount to send.
- Use your UPI PIN to confirm the transaction.
- The payment will be confirmed via a message.
With these simple steps, users can effortlessly use WhatsApp Pay for everyday transactions.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
