- WhatsApp is working on a payments section within the app, detected in the iOS beta version.
- Spain appears in the country selector, although there is no release date.
- The feature would allow saving cards and shipping information for purchases in the chat.
- Meta already has experience with payments in India, Brazil, Singapore and Mexico.
WhatsApp has long sought to expand beyond messaging and calls. The platform is developing an in-app payment feature, which could arrive in Spain if Meta decides to roll out its system to new markets. This information came to light thanks to the specialized portal WABetaInfo, which analyzed WhatsApp beta version 26.33.10.70 for iOS, available on TestFlight.
Although the feature isn't yet available to everyone and Meta hasn't confirmed any international rollout, the update includes countries like Spain, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. This indicates that WhatsApp is preparing its infrastructure to expand its reach to more regions soon, although there's still no specific date or guarantee that the service will be activated in our country.
Direct payments within the chat
WhatsApp's planned innovation will allow users to send money without leaving the app, making the process much simpler. According to WABetaInfo, the payments section will be divided into several categories, including one that makes it easy to select a contact, define an amount, and complete the transaction in just a few steps. In addition, WhatsApp is implementing the option to save debit and credit card information , so that the details can be used later to expedite future transactions.
The form under development requests information such as expiration date, CVV code, and billing address. The app also plans to collect shipping data, including email address, phone number, and postal address. This suggests that the intention is not only to allow transfers between individuals but also to enable purchases of goods and services directly within chats . Users will have the option to download or delete their saved information at any time.
Spain among the countries considered
One of the most significant findings published by WABetaInfo is found in the country selector of the billing form. Although WhatsApp Payments is currently limited to specific markets, the new interface already includes Spain along with other European countries, as well as Australia, Canada, and the United States. However, this does not guarantee that the service will be activated in Spain soon. It is crucial to distinguish between a feature in the testing phase and an official launch. Nevertheless, this inclusion indicates that Meta is working on an infrastructure that could extend its payments to many more countries than it currently does.
WhatsApp and its history in payment services
The concept isn't entirely new for WhatsApp. The app already offers payment solutions in some regions, although with different systems in each case, adapted to the local financial infrastructure. For example, in India, WhatsApp Payments uses UPI, a system that connects banks for easier and faster transfers. In Brazil, it implements PIX for payments between users. Singapore uses PayNow, in partnership with Stripe, and in Mexico, some businesses can collect payments directly from chats.
These experiences demonstrate that Meta already possesses the necessary technology to expand the service . The biggest challenge for Europe is complying with much stricter regulations, which requires time and adjustments before payments can be officially activated. The company will have to overcome numerous regulations in both Spain and the European Union, and it is currently unknown when this feature might begin public testing.
In short, WhatsApp is laying the groundwork for payments to reach more countries, and Spain is on the list of candidates. Although there's no date or official confirmation, the technology is already under development, and previous experience in other markets works in its favor. We'll have to wait for Meta to take the plunge and announce a launch, but everything suggests that we could soon be able to pay directly from the chat without needing to use other apps.
