Introducing Kite Backup: A WhatsApp-based emergency mode

Zerodha Feature Announcements
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Trading platforms have many dependencies working in sync. If even one has an issue, it can affect how everything works and slow things down for everyone. In those rare situations, you can now use Kite Backup, a WhatsApp-based emergency mode.

Quoting @nithin 's tweet:

Trading platforms are ridiculously complex. One hiccup anywhere from exchange connections to cloud servers can create an issue. Over the years, we’ve built tons of safeguards and redundancies, but we’re still paranoid.

Apart from all of this, we’ve built a new emergency trading mode using WhatsApp. In case of a disaster scenario, which we hope never happens, and the Kite web and mobile both become inaccessible during market hours, this backup mode will allow you to cancel orders and exit positions. It runs on a completely separate infrastructure and is designed to be independent of Kite.

You can watch this video to know how to enable it:

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So it runs on same backend server which runs main kite site, OR this thing has its own independent separate server?

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Can this be used for personal emergency situations as well? Or only when kite is down?

I get quite concerned to think if I was to be incapacitated due to any reason, especially around monthly expiry dates involving physical settlement. A simple “exit my positions” on whatsapp is something I could explain to my wife, anything else is too complicated for her.

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This is a wonderful step in the right direction. @nithin is there a possibility this feature can be expanded to include report generation, holdings view and perhaps placing of trades through WhatsApp. Also, do we use an in-house WhatsApp api platform or have we subscribed to a service provider? Thanks

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Kite Backup runs on an independent setup hosted on Microsoft Azure. It has no dependency on Kite web or app. It connects to the various OMS installations (silos) across datacenters directly. Explained here.

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Yes, you can technically access it anytime. But it’s built as a last resort tool.

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Good Job @Zerodha team @nithin_kumrr :+1:

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No plans as such for now, as mentioned this is built as a last resort to exit position incase if anything goes wrong.

What you mean by this?

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I mean there are third party providers like interakt and wait. Do we use those ?

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Screenshot_2025-08-21-15-09-05-498_com.whatsapp
Screenshot_2025-08-21-15-09-05-498_com.whatsapp1080×2400 96.4 KB

wanna tell me about this :grimacing:

restored chat btw ,
cleared once later

late but response came by zeordha working now

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We’re using “Flow” technology that renders mini-UIs within WhatsApp.

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Faced this issue, and it’s working now?

Please DM me your client ID, I’ll check the logs to see the cause.

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Guys the backup service cannot sq off positions greater than freeze qty. This almost cost me today, as my hedges were sq off and left me with naked shorts that couldnt be sq off… Pl fix.

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Cloudfare issue is sorted a while ago, noted this point.

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Even even though I did not close my position, but I had a confidence that I can close my position any time, thank you for this feature

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Square off at Market Price is risky in option trading.

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Hi, instead of depending on WhatsApp, cant it be a web page? Like just a link we can use.

WhatsApp is a privacy nightmare and a battery killer. I have long switched to signal. Also whatsapp can very well become a hacking target to elders who don’t understand things.

Think over it Zerodha team. Why cant just a backup webpage work. It can even be linked directly into kite.

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This won’t work as Kite’s web stack could be the problem, like with Cloudflare or something else. :face_holding_back_tears:

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Oh I see. Then the least ethical company is the only backup source for a most trustworthy company of india. What a strange world.

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If you’re technical minded, it’s possible to use something like GrapheneOS to sandbox untrusted apps and services, including Google Play. :mailbox_with_no_mail: