It seems that very soon it will be possible pay with whatsapp to our contacts through a system whose operation will be very similar to that of Bizum. Those responsible for the popular instant messaging application have been working on this for some time and now everything indicates that they have found the definitive formula.
The invention already has a name: WhatsApp Pay. Apparently, this is going to be a service that will allow us to send money to a family member or friend easily and quickly. The idea is that the process is as simple as the one we now use to send a photo.
This innovative payment method has already been successfully tested in India and will soon begin to be used in the United States as well. We now know that there is a long list of countries where it will be possible to pay with WhatsAppincluding Spain. In fact, there was talk that the service would already be available at the beginning of 2021, although the launch date has finally had to be postponed. What we still don't know is if it will be a free service or, on the contrary, WhatsApp is going to charge us something for using it.
The priority of those in charge of implementing this payment system is that it be simple and instant. Exactly like when we send an image: enter WhatsApp, press the payment button in the same chat of the contact in question, enter the amount and send the payment.
In a first phase, it will only be possible to pay with WhatsApp to the contacts on our list. Later on, the options will be expanded so that the scope and capacity of WhatsApp Pay is the same as Twyp or Bizum, to cite two of the best-known examples.
This is how WhatsApp Pay will work
First of all, it is necessary to know that in order to access this service it will be necessary update WhatsApp (once the new functionality is available, although the exact date has not yet been announced). To do so, you simply have to go to the Play Store or the Apple Store, as appropriate, and select the "Update" option. If this option does not appear, it means that we already have the latest version installed on our mobile, so in this case nothing will have to be done.
Once the option is available, we can already set up whatsapp pay to add the payment method. These are the steps to follow:
- To begin with, we will open WhatsApp on the mobile phone.
- Let's go to the section «Settings» and we select the option "Payments".
- Within this section, a screen with several options will be displayed. We chose the one of "Add payment method".
- There we will have to look for our bank in the list of banks authorized by WhatsApp. If so, just select it.
Once this is done, the application will detect our phone number and link it to our bank account. so that the synchronization is complete we will also need to verify the account number. By doing this, we can start paying with WhatsApp without any problem. And of course, also receive payments. The method is very simple:
- Open the chat of the person to whom you want to send money.
- Select the clip icon (in the case of Android) or the "+" (in iOS).
- The same as now when doing this the icons of "Document", "Camera", "Gallery", "Audio", etc. are displayed, a new icon called "Payments". You have to click on it.
- The last step consists of select an amount of money and press the "Send" button. The selected contact will receive a notification message of the amount sent and confirmation that the transfer was successful.
Paid WhatsApp?
Going back to what we said before, it is more than likely that the WhatsApp Pay service is paid. Moreover, everything indicates that soon we are going to have to pay to use all the services of this app.
Many of us who have been using WhatsApp for years still remember that, at first, it was necessary to make a small payment of 0,89 euro cents. A fee for its activation that had to be paid before January 17, 2016. As it was an almost insignificant amount, no one refused to pay then.
Well, now the developers of WhatsApp are considering turning WhatsApp into a paid service. At the moment, only for your service whatsappbusiness, that offers its users the ability to send quick responses, set up welcome and away messages, display product catalogs, and create company profiles, among other things.
The options being considered in the case of WhatsApp Business are a 3-year subscription for 2,40 euros or a 5-year subscription for 3,34 euros. It should not be ruled out that, in the not too distant future, you will also have to pay for basic WhatsApp accounts. We will be vigilant.