WhatsApp is rolling out prepaid mobile recharges in India, letting users complete top-ups without leaving the app. The feature is live in phases on Android and iOS, and the current rollout covers prepaid customers of Jio, Airtel and Vi.
Prepaid recharges move into WhatsApp
Users in India can start a prepaid mobile recharge from WhatsApp’s Payments section, choose from the available plans and finish the transaction in the app. The new option adds a rupee icon on the home screen for access to payments.
Access is limited to some users in India for now.
Jio, Airtel and Vi are in the first wave
The current launch covers prepaid subscribers of Jio, Airtel and Vi. Jio has published terms for a WhatsApp Pay Recharge Program, confirming its participation in the launch.
It is not yet clear whether operators beyond Jio, Airtel and Vi are included.
PayU handles the checkout layer
WhatsApp has tied the recharge feature to PayU, which handles the payment side of the flow. The setup keeps users inside WhatsApp rather than routing them to a separate app at checkout.
Users can select a plan, pay in-app and get a recharge confirmation without switching services. Access still depends on whether the phased rollout has reached a specific account.
About the author
Samarth Agrawal is an AI and technology professional who writes about WhatsApp, automation, and emerging AI trends. He focuses on simplifying complex tech updates into practical insights for businesses, creators, and everyday users
