The messaging app WhatsApp will disable the person-to-person transfer feature using debit cards. The change will take effect on December 19th.
Changes to Payment Options
WhatsApp has confirmed to Tecnoblog that the debit card payment option will be deactivated in December. Consequently, users of this payment mechanism will need to resort to other options, such as Pix directly within the messenger. This measure applies to the Brazilian market.
Continuation of WhatsApp Payments
According to the company, the WhatsApp Payments service will be maintained. This is the messaging app’s first foray into moving money from one point to another. The Payments feature was announced in June 2020 but only became available in the app after receiving regulatory approval in April 2023.
The messaging team has informed Tecnoblog that they are notifying all users of the feature about the December 19th deadline.
Usage Statistics
WhatsApp has not disclosed figures on person-to-person transfers via Meta Pay, but the general impression is that few Brazilians have adopted the tool, which operated in partnership with Mastercard and Visa. There are even users who dislike the “$” button that initiates transactions, which is present in the WhatsApp interface on Android and iPhone.
How to Make Transfers via WhatsApp?
WhatsApp itself and various banks are actively providing transfer and payment tools within the app. Here are some options:
- Meta Pay: Payment from individual to business using credit or debit cards.
- Pix via Magie: Instant payment system directly within WhatsApp.
- Pix via PicPay: Another option for instant payments through PicPay’s integration.
- Pix via Itaú: Itaú bank’s integration with WhatsApp for Pix transactions.
