Keypad Mobile:- In 2025, not all feature phones are “dumb phones.” Thanks to 4G-enabled keypad mobiles, you can now use UPI apps, send money, and even access WhatsApp Lite or KaiOS apps on certain devices — all without needing a smartphone.
If you’re using a basic keypad mobile and wondering “Can I use UPI or WhatsApp?”, this guide explains which phones support it and how to do it step-by-step.
✅ What You Need First
To use WhatsApp or UPI on a keypad mobile, your device must meet these conditions:
- ✅ Support 4G VoLTE (for data & calls)
- ✅ Have KaiOS or a custom smart feature OS
- ✅ Have JioPay, NSDL UPI, or BHIM Lite pre-installed
- ✅ Registered mobile number linked with your bank account
📱 Popular Keypad Phones That Support WhatsApp or UPI
Phone Model | WhatsApp Support | UPI Support | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Jio Bharat B1 | ❌ (No WhatsApp) | ✅ (JioPay) | ₹1,299 |
Itel MagicX Pro 4G | ✅ (Via Smart OS) | ✅ | ₹2,799 |
JioPhone (KaiOS) | ✅ (KaiOS Store) | ✅ (JioPay) | ₹1,499 |
Nokia 8110 4G | ✅ (KaiOS) | ✅ | ₹3,299 |
💬 How to Use WhatsApp on a Keypad Mobile (KaiOS / Itel Smart Feature OS)
🛑 Note: Only select smart feature phones support WhatsApp — basic keypad phones do not.
📥 Step-by-Step:
- Insert SIM with active data plan
- Go to the App Store (KaiStore or Itel App Hub)
- Search for WhatsApp and select Install
- Open WhatsApp and verify with OTP
- Start chatting using your T9 keypad
📝 You can:
- Send/receive texts
- Use voice notes
- View images (low resolution)
- Use group chats
🔴 No video calling or media-heavy usage supported
💰 How to Use UPI on a Keypad Mobile (Without Internet)
Even without apps, you can use UPI with offline dial codes (USSD) or pre-installed UPI apps.
🔢 Option 1: Use USSD-Based UPI – No App Needed
✅ Works on all phones (even without internet)
✳️ Steps to Use Dial UPI via *99#
:
- Open your dialer and type:
*99#
- Press call
- A UPI menu will appear (works in 13 languages)
- Choose an option:
- 1 – Send Money
- 2 – Request Money
- 3 – Check Balance
- 4 – My Profile
- Enter:
- Receiver’s UPI ID or mobile number
- Your UPI PIN
- Confirm to complete the payment
✔️ Supported Banks: SBI, PNB, HDFC, ICICI, etc.
✔️ Supported by Airtel, Jio, BSNL, Vi
📲 Option 2: Use UPI Apps (JioPay / NSDL / BHIM Lite)
On UPI-enabled phones like Jio Bharat B1 or Itel MagicX Pro, the app comes pre-installed.
🪜 Steps:
- Open the JioPay or NSDL BHIM UPI app
- Select “Send Money”
- Enter the UPI ID or mobile number
- Enter amount
- Enter your 4- or 6-digit UPI PIN
- Confirm
You can also:
- Scan QR codes (via basic camera)
- View transaction history
- Check bank balance
📷 How to Scan QR Codes on Keypad Phones?
Some keypad phones (like Itel MagicX Pro) include a basic camera-based QR scanner in the UPI app.
📌 To use it:
- Open the UPI app
- Choose Scan QR
- Align camera to the merchant’s QR code
- Enter amount & UPI PIN
Note: Not available on very basic feature phones.
🙋 FAQs
Q1: Can I use WhatsApp on any keypad mobile?
👉 Only KaiOS or Smart OS-based keypad phones support WhatsApp.
Q2: What is the cheapest keypad phone with UPI support?
👉 Jio Bharat B1 (₹1,299) – UPI enabled via JioPay.
*Q3: Is 99# UPI safe?
👉 Yes. It’s encrypted, secured by NPCI, and requires your UPI PIN for every transaction.
Q4: Can I scan UPI QR codes with a keypad phone?
👉 Only if your device has a camera and built-in UPI app with scanner.
🏁 Final Thoughts
You don’t need a smartphone to chat on WhatsApp or send money via UPI anymore. Thanks to smart keypad phones like Jio Bharat B1, Itel MagicX Pro, and JioPhone, even feature phone users can stay connected and cashless.
Choose a phone based on:
- 🧓 Simplicity (Jio Bharat B1)
- 🧠 WhatsApp usage (Itel or KaiOS models)
- 💳 Full UPI control (via app or *99#)