Except in a handful of countries, WhatsApp is the most popular chat app around and its dominance stays unchallenged. But despite that, the app isn’t the money-maker you think it is for Meta. So in an attempt to boost profits, the messaging platform is trying to branch out to other services including payments, ecommerce, and more. Below we look at 6 handy things you can do on WhatsApp in India beyond just chatting with friends and family.
Book a cab
(Image: Uber)
If you don’t have the Uber app installed, you can still easily book a cab through WhatsApp thanks to Uber’s partnership with the messaging platform. The really cool part? You can set your precise pickup spot by sending your real-time location to Uber, without needing to type or pin addresses.
Here’s how to book your next Uber ride on WhatsApp:
1. Save the number 7292000002 in your contacts
3. Open the chat and text “Hi”
4. Provide your pickup location and intended destination
5. You’ll instantly get fare estimates and driver ETA
Buy metro tickets
Public transportation is hugely popular in urban India, but queues for tokens or recharge cards can often get very long. You can skip the hassle by booking your Delhi Metro ticket before stepping out of your home or office through WhatsApp. This WhatsApp ticketing service covers all lines in Delhi NCR region, including the Rapid Metro in Gurugram.
Follow these simple steps on your phone to get started:
1. Save the number 9650855800
2. Text “Hi”
3. Choose your preferred language
4. Tap “Buy Ticket”
5. Enter your station stops
6. Select the number of tickets needed
7. Review journey details and proceed to pay
8. Receive and save the QR ticket
Just keep in mind that users can generate a maximum of 6 QR tickets in a single transaction, which honestly is more than enough. And that ticket booking is only available between 6 am to 9 pm for all metro lines and from 4 am to 11 pm for the Airport Line.
Shop groceries via JioMart
(Image: Jio)
Believe it or not, WhatsApp can fully replace your grocery shopping apps. Thanks to an integration with JioMart, you can browse their entire catalogue of over 50,000 products, add items to a virtual cart, and checkout with WhatsApp Pay – all without ever leaving the app.
Even better, JioMart offers a 30% instant discount (max ₹120 off) on all orders placed through WhatsApp. Here are the steps to start shopping:
1. Save the JioMart number +91 79770 79770
2. Message “Hi” to initiate conversation
3. Browse categories or search for items
4. Add items of choice to your cart
5. Proceed to checkout and pay seamlessly via WhatsApp Pay UPI
Send money to friends and family
(Image: WhatsApp)
WhatsApp makes it incredibly easy to pay back friends or split shared expenses in just a few taps. Once you’ve linked a bank account to your WhatsApp Payments wallet, you can securely send and receive money with anyone who uses UPI apps – with no fees.
Here’s how to pay someone back for dinner:
1. Open the chat thread with the contact
2. Tap the attachment icon
3. Choose Payment
4. Authenticate and enter the amount
5. Verify your UPI PIN to send
Access important documents on the go
Rather than fumbling through your files and folders to locate essential documents at security checkpoints on the road, Indian WhatsApp users can now access important credentials like their PAN card and driving license from WhatsApp itself. Thanks to integration with the Indian government’s Digilocker service, the MyGov Helpdesk chatbot on the app allows citizens to:
– Create and authenticate a DigiLocker account
– Download digital documents including PAN card, driving license, vehicle RC, and many more
– Retrieve e-signed pension slips, insurance policies
Here’s how simple it is:
1. Save MyGov Helpdesk chatbot number +91-9013151515
2. Open chat and say “Hi”
3. Follow menu prompts to access DigiLocker documents
Get healthcare services in rural areas
Public health access remains a challenge across rural parts of India. To help address this, a CSC Health Services Helpdesk has been launched on WhatsApp. It offers hundreds of millions of users telehealth consultations, information on government health schemes, COVID-19 resources and more, completely free in English and Hindi. Here’s how to utilise it:
1. Simply text “Hi” to +917290055552 to start a conversation
2. Choose from the menu what services you need
3. Follow prompts and provide relevant health details for doctors
