How to Make UPI Payment without the Internet (4 Easy Methods)

Ever wanted to make a UPI payment but your internet has run out? Or perhaps you are in a low network area such as a lift, underground station, flight or a rural area? We all have been there. Thankfully, there are ways we users can make UPI Payments offline, without the internet or even without a network connection. Some of the ways to make UPI payments without the Internet or network are mentioned below:

UPI Lite launched by NPCI & RBI helps users make offline UPI payments with ease from any UPI-lite supported app such as Gpay, Paytm, PhonePe, OneCard, etc. Users can add up to ₹2000 balance at a time and spend a total of up to ₹4000 within 24 hours. Presently, you can make payments of up to ₹500 in one go.

Can we use UPI Lite without the internet?

UPI Lite acts as an “on-device wallet” that uses unique cryptographic keys in your SIM card to make payments without using the internet. But this also means that UPI Lite cannot be used offline without a network connection or USSD. It can work without the internet but you still need to have a network connection. This is also what separates UPI Lite from UPI Lite X.

How to Setup UPI Lite

1. Install any UPI Lite-supported app such as Paytm, Gpay, BHIM, etc

2. Log in

3. Add your bank account if not already added

4. Click on the “UPI Lite” feature

5. Add money to the UPI Lite wallet from your bank account

6. Enter UPI PIN to complete the transaction

7. Once the money is transferred to your wallet, UPI Lite will be activated

UPI Lite Supported Apps in India 2024

• Bajaj Pay

• BHIM

• BHIM IOB UPI

• BHIM PNB

• BHIM SBI Pay

• BOB world UPI

• Canara ai1

• Cent UPI (CBI)

• Gpay

• Groww

• Navi

• OneCard

• PayTm

• PhonePe

• Yes Pay Next

Also read: Popular Tax Savings Options

The next method to do UPI payment without the internet is by running the USSD code *99#. This is a USSD service launched by NPCI. It is supported across devices using BSNL, MTNL, Airtel or Vi SIM card. Users can easily send or receive payments without using the internet through this service. Especially useful for feature phones.

Steps to make UPI transactions offline (without the internet) using *99#:

1. On your device, open your phone dialer

2. Enter the code mentioned and give it a call

3. Enter your bank name or the first 4 letters of your bank IFSC Code

4. Enter your UPI PIN or you can generate a new UPI PIN if you do not have

5. Selection from options such as “send money,” “request money,” “check balance,” “my profile,” “pending requests,” “transactions,” and “UPI PIN.”

6. If you choose the Send Money option, you can choose a mode of payment such as a bank account with an IFSC Code, phone number, or UPI ID.

7. Enter the details required and then proceed to add the amount you wish to send

8. Lastly, enter your UPI PIN to complete the transaction

9. You will receive a confirmation message from the bank on your registered phone number

10. Note: This has a ₹0.50 paise charge so do keep that in mind.

UPI Limit for Tax Payments 2024

If you have a NFC-enabled smartphone you can also make payments without using the internet. It works similarly to using a tap & pay card. NPCI explains this feature as “when the Payer taps his/her phone on NFC-enabled QRs/soundbox, the UPI ID of the receiver is fetched by the payer app. The payer app then initiates the transaction.”

UPI Lite X Tap & Pay launched by NPCI this year works on a similar model where users can make UPI payments without the internet. For transactions up to ₹500, no UPI PIN is required and above ₹500, it’s required to validate UPI PIN. Keep in mind, that you first need to enable UPI Lite.

Steps to use UPI Lite X Tap & Pay to make UPI payments offline:

1. Open UPI App

2. Ensure you have enabled UPI Lite and have NFC capability in your smartphone

3. Click on the Tap & Pay icon within the app.

4. Input the transaction amount.

5. Tap your mobile device on the receiver's device.

6. Money will be sent successfully from your bank account to the receiver’s bank account without requiring a UPI PIN

7. For offline payments, the service utilizes the existing UPI Lite wallet

8. The user has to come online i.e. in the internet connectivity within 4 days of performing an offline transaction.

9. The feature is only supported on Android devices as of 28th August 2024

Note: The best part about UPI Lite X is that it allows you to make UPI payments even without a network.

An important point to keep in mind is that UPI Lite X transactions, except for top-ups, won't appear in your account statement or passbook.

Also read: Best women savings account in India

Lastly, one of the simplest ways to make UPI transactions offline is by using the UPI 123Pay Call Karo, Pay Karo service by NPCI. This is an instant payment service by NPCI built for feature phones or phones with lower internet connectivity. You get 4 options under this service: Calling an IVR number, Using app functionality on feature phones, Missed call-based approach and Proximity sound-based payments.

Steps to make UPI Payment without Internet using pre-defined IVR numbers by NPCI

1. Dial any of the following IVR numbers: 08045163666, 08045163581, 6366200200

2. Select preferred language

3. Set up your UPI profile (one-time activity)

4. Mention the bank name & confirm by pressing 1

5. Confirm the bank details & phone number announced by the IVR

6. It will auto-detect if you have an existing UPI PIN.

7. Otherwise, you can reset your UPI PIN or generate a new one

8. Once done, enter the phone number you wish to send the money to

9. Confirm the receiver’s name announced by the IVR assistant by pressing 1

10. Next, enter the amount you wish to transfer

11. Your request will be registered and you will soon receive a call back (within 1-2 minutes)

12. Now, you will be asked again to confirm the transaction

13. Once done, enter your 6-digit UPI PIN

14. Money will be sent successfully and you will receive a confirmation message from your bank.

Difference between UPI vs RTGS vs IMPS vs NEFT

Soon, NPCI is also launching UPI Circle service which can help a secondary user pay on behalf of a primary user. This can be especially useful to our parents, senior-aged uncles and aunties or even small kids who need to rely on their parents for finances.