PhonePe gets offline support, lets you make UPI payments on feature phones with no internet

PhonePe has brought UPI payments to feature phones without an internet connection. Here's how UPI 123Pay works, which phones support it, and how users can register and pay.

In Short

• The service comes pre-installed on select Nokia, HMD, Lava and Itel phones
• It uses SMS to process payments in areas with limited 2G connectivity
• Users can send money via contacts, mobile numbers and UPI IDs

If you are a feature phone user or a person who wants to take a break from the internet, but still wants to use UPI payments – as it has become a basic necessity nowadays – PhonePe may have something to offer. The payments platform has introduced UPI 123Pay, and this will allow feature phone users in India to make UPI payments without needing a smartphone or an internet connection.

Notably, as of now, the service will come pre-installed on select feature phones from Nokia, HMD, Lava and Itel. However, in the coming days, more handset makers are expected to join in, PhonePe said in its press release. The company says the service is built on a technology stack designed specifically to support UPI payments on feature phones.

PhonePe UPI 123Pay uses an SMS-based system, allowing payments to go through even in areas with limited 2G connectivity. Users can send money to other people using their mobile numbers or UPI IDs. They can also make payments to merchants using UPI IDs or, on supported phones, by scanning QR codes.

The service also allows users to check their bank account balance and transaction history. PhonePe says features such as bill payments, mobile recharges and Aadhaar-based UPI onboarding will be added in future updates.

How to register and make a payment

Getting started does not require a smartphone. Users can open the pre-installed PhonePe app on their feature phones, accept the terms and conditions and select their bank.

They then need to enter the last six digits of their debit card along with its expiry date and set a UPI PIN. Once that is done, their UPI ID becomes active and they can start making payments.

To send money, users can open PhonePe and choose an option such as paying through a contact, mobile number or UPI ID. After selecting the recipient, they can enter the amount, check the details and confirm the payment using their UPI PIN.

Feature phones with a camera can also support the Scan and Pay option. Users can scan a merchant's QR code, enter the amount and confirm the transaction with their UPI PIN.

PhonePe has also introduced a voice-based AI helpline to help users activate the service and understand basic UPI functions. The assistant supports English and 12 Indian languages.

- Ends