Sending Money Abroad Made Easier? WhatsApp Tests UPI Integration For International Payments

Meta, the parent company of the world's most popular messaging platform, WhatsApp, is reportedly working on integrating international payment capabilities through the Unified Payment Interface (UPI). As per app researcher AssembleDebug, users will soon have the option to enable or disable this feature within WhatsApp's Bank account details page. Once activated, users will be able to send payments to businesses in eligible countries for a maximum of three months.

On X, AssembleDebug, formerly known as Twitter, shared that WhatsApp is developing a new feature to enable international UPI payments within India. A leaked screenshot of the app reveals a new addition to the UPI settings section, labeled 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," AssembleDebug posted on X.

In India, WhatsApp, owned by Meta, allows users to send and receive payments using the UPI, a locally developed payments system. However, it entered the payment space in the country relatively late, trailing behind established UPI payment applications like Google Pay and PhonePe. Moreover, WhatsApp lags in the competition due to its limited support for UPI features, notably the absence of international payments through UPI, a feature available on other leading platforms.

The screenshots also suggest the ability to set shorter durations for international payments within WhatsApp.

When selected, users will be prompted to enable international UPI payments and set a timeframe, up to three months, for transactions with businesses in designated countries.

The international payment feature within WhatsApp via UPI is currently under development, indicating that it is not yet accessible to all users in India.

To increase the 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.