How to Use UPI Offline in India: UPI 123PAY & *99# Explained

In India, digital payments through UPI (Unified Payments Interface) have become the backbone of daily transactions. From paying your electricity bill to sending money to friends, UPI makes it quick and easy. But what happens when you’re in a no-internet zone—say, in a rural area, while traveling, or when your mobile data is down?

The good news is, you can still use UPI offline through a simple feature called USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data). This allows you to access UPI services by just dialing a code on your phone—even without the internet or a smartphone.

UPI 123PAY: Empowering Feature Phone Users

Launched by NPCI in March 2022, UPI 123PAY is designed for feature phone users who lack internet connectivity. This service offers four offline transaction methods: 

A. Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

• How It Works: Dial a pre-defined IVR number provided by your bank.
• Process: You can make UPI payments on any phone by calling your bank’s IVR number. This allows you to complete UPI registration and transactions without the internet. The IVR system works in multiple languages, and many banks and service providers support payments through it.
  1. Call the IVR number.
  2. Select the transaction type (e.g., money transfer, FASTag recharge).
  3. Authenticate using your UPI PIN.
  4. Complete the transaction.

B. App-Based Transactions

• How It Works: Some feature phones have UPI 123PAY apps already installed. These apps let you make UPI payments even without a smartphone. The app looks like a regular UPI app but is simpler for feature phones. You can do most UPI tasks, including Scan and Pay if your phone has a camera.

• Process:
  1. Open the app.
  2. Select the transaction type.
  3. Authenticate using your UPI PIN.
  4. Complete the transaction.

C. Missed Call-Based Payments

• How It Works: This method lets you make UPI payments using a missed call, which is helpful for feature phone users or those with little or no internet access. When you make a purchase, a token with your mobile number and the bill amount is generated. After giving a missed call to the designated number, you receive an incoming call on your registered mobile. The call guides you to complete the transaction by entering your UPI PIN. The registration process is similar to the IVR method.

• Process:
  1. Dial the missed call number.
  2. Follow the automated instructions.
  3. Authenticate using your UPI PIN.
  4. Complete the transaction.

D. Sound-Based Proximity Payments

• How It Works: This method uses sound waves to transfer payment information between devices, allowing contactless UPI payments to merchants
• Process:

1. Call the IVR number and select Pay to Merchant.
2. Tap your phone on the merchant’s device (Sound Box).
3. Press # when you hear the unique tone.
4. Enter the payment amount and your UPI PIN.
5. Complete the transaction.

The Sound Box confirms the payment, and you also get confirmation on the IVR call.

Security Features:

• Authentication: Transactions require UPI PIN, ensuring that only authorized users can perform transactions.
• Encryption: Data transmitted during transactions is encrypted to protect against unauthorized access.
• Real-Time Reversals: In case of transaction failures, funds are reversed in real-time, ensuring that users are not charged incorrectly.

Onboarding Process:

• Requirements: A bank account linked to a mobile number.
• Methods:
  1. IVR Registration: Dial the designated IVR number and follow the prompts.
  2. Bank App Registration: Use your bank’s mobile banking app to register.
  3. Third-Party App Registration: Use third-party UPI-compliant apps that support UPI 123PAY.

Source: NPCI

*99# (NUUP): USSD-Based Mobile Banking Service

*99# is a USSD-based mobile banking service developed by NPCI. It allows users to access banking services on feature phones and smartphones without needing an internet connection. Initially launched in November 2012 with limited reach, it has now expanded across all major telecom service providers (TSPs) and 83 banks. Users can send and receive money, check account balances, set or change UPI PINs, and access other banking services using a simple interactive menu displayed on their phone after dialing *99#.

Key features:

• Works on basic feature phones as well as smartphones.
• Supports 13 languages, including Hindi and English.
• Allows transactions using UPI ID, mobile number, or account number + IFSC.
• Offers both financial (sending/receiving money) and non-financial services (balance check, last 5 transactions, UPI PIN management).

How It Works:

1. Dial *99# on your mobile phone.
2. Select your bank from the menu.
3. Choose the service you want to use (Send Money, Request Money, Check Balance, etc.).
4. Enter the required details: recipient UPI ID, mobile number, or account + IFSC.
5. Authenticate using your UPI PIN.
6. Complete the transaction. Confirmation is displayed on your phone immediately.

Security Features:

• All transactions require UPI PIN authentication.
• Uses secure USSD protocol for communication, ensuring no sensitive data is exposed.
• Immediate transaction confirmation minimizes errors.
• Beneficiary registration is optional; funds can be sent using UPI ID or mobile number.

Onboarding Process:

1. Ensure you have a bank account and a registered mobile number linked to it.
2. Dial *99# on your mobile phone.
3. Create or link your UPI ID.
4. Set your UPI PIN to start transacting.
5. You can save beneficiaries for future payments, though it is not mandatory.

Additional Information:

• Transactions can be initiated 24/7, including holidays.
• Maximum transaction limit is Rs. 5000 per transaction.
• Works on GSM phones, but not on CDMA handsets.
• New features include collect functionality and a default UPI ID (MobileNo@upi) for receiving funds.

Security Measures

Both UPI 123PAY and 99# incorporate robust security features to ensure safe transactions:

• Authentication: Transactions require UPI PIN, ensuring that only authorized users can perform transactions.
• Encryption: Data transmitted during transactions is encrypted to protect against unauthorized access.
• Real-Time Reversals: In case of transaction failures, funds are reversed in real-time, ensuring that users are not charged incorrectly. Source: NPCI

UPI 123PAY vs. 99# (NUUP) Comparison

Getting Started

For UPI 123PAY:

• Check Device Compatibility: Ensure your feature phone supports UPI 123PAY.
• Register: Follow the registration process provided by your bank.
• Set UPI PIN: Create a secure UPI PIN for transaction authentication.
• Start Transacting: Use any of the offline methods to perform transactions.

For 99#:

• Perform Transactions: Follow the prompts to complete your desired transaction.
• Dial *99#: Open the USSD menu on your mobile phone.
• Select Bank: Choose your bank from the list.
• Authenticate: Enter your UPI PIN.