Now, you can 'request money' on WhatsApp: Here, is how to use the feature
New Delhi : Those using WhatsApp Payments has good news to share. The in-app payment on the popular messenger has received a new feature for Android beta users. Now interested users can request money from contacts, apart from sending money from their wallet. The new feature supports WhatsApp beta for Android v2.18.113, and is available only for a limited number of users. To remind, WhatsApp Payments is currently in testing phase in India and used the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform.
Previously, WhatsApp Payments app has been designed with ‘make payments’ option only. The request money feature appears to be limited to payments initiated by UPI ID and QR code, and doesn't work if you select the contact directly. The change is in between the several new functions rolled out in recent days, including the ability to re-download deleted media and the new vCard indexing feature. Experts have noticed that the new request money feature is applicable in WhatsApp beta for Android v2.18.113, and is reportedly available only for a limited number of users. To recall, WhatsApp Payments is currently in testing only in India, and used the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform.
How to use the new ‘Request Money’ feature on WhatsApp Payment app
To use the new request money feature on WhatsApp beta for Android v2.18.113, follow the following sequence:
Visit Settings > Payments > New Payments and then choose between To UPI ID and Scan QR code. At this point, you will be shown a pop-up that gives you two options: Pay Money (it will be called Send Money instead if you scan a QR code) and Request Money.
The requests are valid for 24 hours, after which they will expire. Telecom Talk first reported the development. For now, the feature is only available for a limited number of users on the WhatsApp beta for Android.
Also, experts found that regardless of whether the recipient of the money request has WhatsApp Payments enabled, they will receive the request in the form of an SMS from another UPI payment app. This could be via their bank, or, from an app like PhonePe, and this appears to depend on what UPI payment method is used by the user. Google Tez recipients got an in-app notification. This is despite the VPA address (UPI ID) being one generated by WhatsApp. After requesting money, the Settings > Payments section will now have a Payment requests section, which shows the status of pending requests. Declined or approved requests will go the Payment history section.
