WhatsApp bill payments explained: How to pay electricity, gas and other bills

WhatsApp is rolling out its Bill Payments feature in India, enabling users to search for, access, and pay their utility and home bills without ever leaving the messaging app. It is connected to the Bharat Connect (BBPS) network and serves over 22,700 billers across 30 categories.

Bill payments for electricity, gas, water, FASTag, insurance, credit cards, and loan repayments can be made via WhatsApp. The feature will be rolled out in stages and will be available to Android and iOS users across India in the next few weeks.

WhatsApp bill payments: What you can pay

This feature allows several recurring payments to be added to WhatsApp. The company says that the categories it supports are:

• Electricity/gas costs
• Water bills
• FASTag payments
• Insurance premiums
• Credit card bills
• Loan repayments
• Other household and utility payments

Users can also manage multiple accounts with the same biller via WhatsApp. This allows for bills for a home, office or family member to be managed in one location.

How to pay bills on WhatsApp

The new service will be available in the WhatsApp home screen with the ₹ icon at the top. The term 'payment process' contains a couple of steps:

1. Open WhatsApp and tap the ₹ icon.
2. Choose a bill category and biller.
3. Please enter and verify the necessary account information.
4. Check the bill amount and information that was retrieved.
5. Select the supported payment option, such as UPI, Debit Card, or Credit Card.
6. Confirm the payment.

Previously paid billers will also be displayed on WhatsApp's Payments Home page. This is to facilitate repeat payments.

WhatsApp bill payments: Key features

Commonly used bill categories will be highlighted on the Payments Home screen. Taping “See All” will show all the larger lists.

It also offers bill discovery and management capabilities such as:

• Viewing past payments
• Checking upcoming bills
• Managing multiple accounts with one biller
• Easily accessible previous billers
• More than 22,700 billers to access from Bharat Connect

What Meta India said

According to Arun Srinivas, Managing Director and Country Head, Meta India, WhatsApp is looking to transform bill payments into a standard message. He added that services such as mobile recharges, metro ticket bookings, and citizen services are already available on WhatsApp in India.

WhatsApp said the Bill Payments feature is being introduced in phases. As this rollout continues across the nation, it will be available to users on both Android and iOS.