If you’ve heard of WhatsApp payments, you might be wondering if it’s possible to make digital payments and transfer money to other WhatsApp users in the US.
At the moment, although it’s possible to make WhatsApp payments in India and Brazil, you can’t send money via WhatsApp Pay in the United States¹.
This guide has you covered with all you need to know about making a WhatsApp payment in countries where it’s allowed, and how you can use Wise low cost payments to India, Brazil and 75+ countries using the mid-market exchange rate. More on that later.
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How do I enable WhatsApp payments?
WhatsApp’s payment system - much like Facebook Pay and Google’s payment platform Google Pay - offers convenient instant money transfers for friends and family. While the WhatsApp Pay payments feature is being rolled out to more countries as time goes on, for now you’ll need an alternative if you want to send and receive money in the US.
Let’s start out with how you get set up for WhatsApp payments in India²:
- Open the WhatsApp app on your eligible device
- Navigate to More options, then Settings, and choose Payments from the options available
- Tap Add new account
- Accept the WhatsApp Pay terms and conditions
- Find and tap the name of your bank from the list of banks available
- Select Verify via SMS and then Allow to verify your account
- Choose the bank account you want to use with WhatsApp
- Tap Done
To make a payment through WhatsApp, you’ll need to have the latest version of the app downloaded on your device. The service is available for banks which support UPI (Universal Payments Interface). If you can’t see your bank in the list of banks offered when you set up WhatsApp Pay, it may not yet offer UPI based services, and so won’t be available for the WhatsApp payments service yet.
How do I make payments via WhatsApp?
Once you’ve added your bank to WhatsApp Pay and completed the verification check, you’ll be able to make fast and easy transfers. The process is basically as easy as sending a message³:
- Open WhatsApp
- Go to the chat you’re having with the person you need to pay
- Tap the attachment icon, which you’ll find above the keyboard
- Select Payment
- Enter the payment amount
- Verify your UPI pin following the on-screen prompts
- You’ll see a chat message confirming the payment has been made
Send money to friends and family in India with Wise
If you want to send money to India, you can’t yet use WhatsApp Pay. Instead, get fast online and mobile transfers with Wise - you may save money compared to your normal bank.
Wise international payments use the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees. You’ll be able to send money to 80+ countries - and you’ll instantly see how much your recipient will get, and when the transfer is likely to arrive.
Sign up for a Wise account and start saving today.
See how much you can save with Wise:
Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.
How do I receive money with WhatsApp Pay?
You can receive payments through WhatsApp on both iPhone and Android devices. The process is the same. The first time you get a WhatsApp Pay payment, you may need to accept the terms and conditions and verify your account. Here’s what to do⁴:
- Open WhatsApp
- Select Accept Payment
- Accept the terms and conditions
- Tap Verify via SMS
- Select the bank you want to link from the list of those available
- Tap the bank account you want to add to WhatsApp
- Select Done
Frequently asked questions
Is WhatsApp Pay safe?
Yes. WhatsApp Pay is safe - your UPI pin will not be captured, and your account must be verified before first use. All data is used in compliance with RBI guidelines for enhanced security.
Where do I find the payments option on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp Pay is available for customers in India and Brazil. If you’re in a region where the WhatsApp payments service is available, you’ll find it by looking in More options, then Settings. Select Payments from the options available to get started.
Does WhatsApp Pay work with my bank?
WhatsApp Pay is available through Indian banks which support UPI, including ICICI Bank and Axis Bank. If you’re not in India or if your bank isn’t supported yet, check out Wise international payments instead.
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Sources:
1]WhatsApp Pay participating countries
2] WhatsApp Pay add a bank account
3] WhatsApp Pay India
4] WhatsApp Pay receiving money
All sources checked on 28 January 2022
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information. This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
