Can you transfer money via UPI without internet access?

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Digital money has gained significant recognition in the past few years. Platforms like Paytm, Amazon Pay, PhonePe and Google Pay have become common tools for transferring money online. Many of these digital applications use the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) for sending or receiving money from one bank account to another instantly via the customer’s registered mobile phone. Such digital payments can be made via mobile devices only.

While modern fintech has definitely eased the process of money transfer, internet connectivity still remains a lingering problem in remote areas. But UPI is now also available for non-Internet based mobile devices (smartphone as well as basic phones) in the form of a dialling option, *99#, and is better known as USSD 2.0. Let’s take a look at how one can use UPI without the internet.

The single most important prerequisite to use UPI-based apps is to have an account with a bank that allows UPI money transfer and other related facilities. Some of the popular member banks include the likes of State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank. At the same time, your mobile number must be registered with the same bank account for verification purposes.

How to register for *99#?

– Dial *99# from your registered mobile number – Select your bank account – Enter the last six digits of your debit card number – Enter the expiry date and confirm the UPI PIN.

After registering, you can start using UPI money transfer services even without an internet connection.

How to transfer money?

– Dial *99# from your registered mobile number

– Your mobile screen will flash with some options. Dial 1 to select “Send Money” and click on reply

– To send money, dial the option you want to use to send money: 1 for mobile number, 3 for UPI ID, 4 for the saved beneficiary. If you want to transfer money using the person’s UPI ID, dial 3

– Now enter the amount you want to transfer. Next, enter your UPI PIN ( this is same as the one set during the registration process)

– Upon successful transfer of money, you’ll be notified with a text message on the same mobile phone.

 Services offered under *99#

As per the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), important services provided under *99# service include sending and receiving interbank funds, balance enquiry, setting/changing UPI PIN alongside other services.

This *99# service is reportedly provided by 41 leading banks as of now. Besides, the facility can be accessed in 12 different languages including Hindi and English.

Key features of new service

– It supports menu-based applications that are easy to manoeuvre for the users

– It doesn’t require internet connectivity as it works on signalling channels. This makes it extremely easy to use service

– The service is available all days of the week

However, do keep in mind that customers will be charged a nominal fee for using this service by the telecomm service provider. While the fee is usually Rs 0.5 per transaction for using the *99# service, the maximum charge set by TRAI is Rs 1.5 per transaction.