Offline UPI Payment: How to Pay Without Internet
You are about to pay at a shop, but your mobile internet suddenly stops working. The QR code is right in front of you, but your usual UPI payment is not going through.
In such situations, you may still have ways to make a digital payment without relying on regular mobile data or Wi-Fi. India has offline UPI options that work differently depending on the type of phone and service you use.
In this blog, you will understand how offline UPI payments work.
What Is an Offline UPI Payment?
An offline UPI payment allows you to make certain UPI transactions without using regular mobile internet or Wi-Fi. Depending on the method, the payment may work through USSD, a voice-based service or supported offline technology.
This can be useful in areas where mobile data is unavailable, slow or unreliable.
How Does Offline UPI Payment Work?
Offline UPI uses alternatives to the usual internet-based payment flow to initiate and authenticate transactions. For example, *99# communicates through USSD, while UPI 123Pay can use an IVR-based phone call.
Some supported smartphone payment features can also use technologies such as NFC for low-value transactions.
How to Make an Offline UPI Payment?
There are different ways to make an offline UPI payment, so you can choose a method based on your device and available connectivity. Feature phones and smartphones may support different options.
Here are the main methods you should know.
Method 1: How to Use *99# for UPI Payment
*99# lets you access banking and UPI-related services without mobile data or Wi-Fi. It works through the cellular network, so you can use it even on a basic phone where the service is supported.
To make a payment:
- Dial *99# from the mobile number registered with your bank.
- Select your preferred language from the menu.
- Follow the instructions to select or identify your bank account.
- Choose Send Money.
- Select the available option for entering the recipient’s details.
- Enter the required details, such as the recipient’s UPI ID or other supported information.
- Enter the amount you want to send.
- Enter your UPI PIN to authorise the payment.
- Check the confirmation before closing the session.
You do not need mobile data for *99#, but you still need cellular network connectivity for the USSD session to work.
Method 2: How to Make an Offline UPI Payment Using UPI 123Pay Through IVR
To make a payment:
- Call an official UPI 123Pay IVR number supported for the service.
- Choose your preferred language.
- Follow the voice instructions to select your bank or linked account.
- Choose the required payment or money-transfer option.
- Enter the recipient or merchant details using your phone’s keypad.
- Enter the amount you want to pay.
- Enter your UPI PIN when prompted.
- Wait for confirmation that the transaction has been completed.
Always use an official UPI 123Pay number and never tell your UPI PIN to another person. Enter it only when prompted by the authorised payment system.
UPI PIN vs UPI Number– How do they differ?
Method 3: How to Make an Offline UPI Payment Using Supported UPI Lite X (NFC) Features
While regular UPI Lite helps you make quick payments with internet, UPI Lite X is specifically designed for times when you have absolutely no internet or cellular data. It allows two devices to transact entirely offline using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.
To make a completely offline payment:
- Set up the UPI Lite/Lite X feature inside your payment app while you still have active internet access.
- Add funds from your linked bank account to your digital on-device wallet.
- When making a payment in a zero-network zone, open the app and access your offline wallet feature.
- Enter the payment amount.
- Tap your smartphone against the merchant’s compatible NFC-enabled device or tag to transfer the money instantly without an internet connection.
Note: Individual wallet transactions do not require you to enter your UPI PIN.
*99# vs UPI 123 Pay vs UPI Lite
*99#, UPI 123Pay and UPI Lite serve different purposes, even though each can make certain digital payments more accessible. The right option depends on your device, internet availability and the type of transaction you want to make.
| Feature | *99# | UPI 123Pay | UPI Lite/UPI Lite X |
| Main purpose | Banking/UPI without mobile data | UPI access primarily for feature phones | Convenient small-value payments |
| Regular internet required | No | No for supported IVR flow | Yes for regular UPI Lite / No for UPI Lite X (NFC) |
| Device | Supported GSM phones | Primarily feature phones | Smartphone |
| How it works | USSD | IVR and other supported methods | On-device UPI Lite functionality |
| UPI PIN for payment | Yes | Yes | Generally not for individual UPI Lite payments |
| Useful when | Mobile data is unavailable | Using a feature phone | Making frequent small-value payments |
What Are the Limits for Offline UPI Payments?
The transaction limit depends on the offline UPI method you use. There is no single transaction limit that applies to every type of offline UPI payment.
For example:
- UPI 123Pay: RBI increased the per-transaction limit to ₹10,000.
- UPI Lite: The per-transaction limit is ₹1,000, with a total balance limit of ₹5,000.
- *99#: Check the latest applicable transaction limits with NPCI or your bank before making a payment, as service conditions may change.
Is Offline UPI Payment Safe?
Offline UPI payments use authentication and security measures, but you still need to be careful while making a transaction. Use only official banking or UPI channels and always check the recipient and amount before confirming.
Keep these precautions in mind:
- Never share your UPI PIN with anyone.
- Check the recipient’s details before paying.
- Use only official IVR numbers and banking channels.
- Never enter a UPI PIN merely to receive money.
- Check the transaction confirmation.
- Keep your phone and UPI credentials secure.
- Report unfamiliar transactions to your bank promptly.
What If an Offline UPI Payment Fails?
An offline UPI transaction may fail because of network availability, incorrect details, transaction limits or a temporary service issue. Check the transaction status before trying to make the same payment again.
If a payment fails:
- Check whether the amount was debited from your account.
- Check the transaction status or confirmation message.
- Keep the transaction reference number, if available.
- Avoid repeatedly making the same payment while its status is unclear.
- Contact your bank or payment service if the issue is not resolved.
Facing a failed or pending UPI transaction? Learn how to find your UPI reference number and use it to track your payment or raise a transaction-related query with your bank.
Make UPI Payments with jUMPP
Make everyday payments conveniently with jUMPP using UPI. You can also manage bills, track expenses and access other money-management features from one UPI payment app.
Conclusion
Offline UPI can keep certain digital payments accessible when regular mobile internet is unavailable. The important part is knowing which method your phone and bank support and how that particular payment option works.
UPI Payment Failed, but Money Debited? Here’s What to Do
FAQs
Offline UPI payment works through alternatives to mobile internet, such as USSD with *99# or voice-based IVR with UPI 123Pay. This lets the payment request go through without relying on regular mobile data or Wi-Fi.
To pay without mobile data, simply dial *99# from your bank-registered mobile number to open an interactive text menu, or call an official UPI 123Pay IVR number to pay via voice prompts. Both methods rely on basic cellular calling signals rather than data packs.
UPI Lite is primarily designed to make small-value UPI payments quicker and easier, without requiring a UPI PIN for every transaction. However, standard UPI Lite should not automatically be considered a completely offline payment facility.
UPI 123Pay enables feature-phone users to access UPI services without needing a smartphone or regular internet connection. One of its payment methods uses an interactive voice response, or IVR, system.
The transaction limits vary by method. UPI 123Pay lets you transact up to ₹10,000 per transaction. Regular internet-dependent UPI Lite allows up to ₹1,000 per transaction, while the completely internet-free UPI Lite X caps transactions at ₹500 for safety.
UPI services that support payments without regular internet include *99# and UPI 123Pay. Certain supported NFC-based UPI features can also be used for offline payments.
Offline UPI payment is designed with authentication and security measures, but how safely you use it matters too. Keep your UPI PIN private, check the recipient details and use only official payment channels.
UPI Lite is mainly designed for quick, small-value payments without entering a UPI PIN each time. Whether you can use it completely offline depends on the specific feature supported by your UPI app and device.
You can make offline UPI payments using a feature phone through UPI 123Pay, which was created primarily for feature-phone users. *99# can also work on supported GSM phones without mobile data.
Offline UPI differs from regular UPI mainly in how the payment is initiated. Regular UPI generally relies on an internet-connected app, while offline methods can use alternatives such as USSD, IVR or supported offline technologies.
