In today’s digital age, making payments or sending money to someone has become incredibly easy. Thanks to UPI, one can now effortlessly transfer funds to others. However, having an internet connection is typically a prerequisite for making a UPI payment. Yet, there are times when we find ourselves in locations where network coverage is poor, and making a UPI payment becomes an urgent necessity. In such situations, people often feel frustrated and wonder how to complete a payment without internet access.
Making UPI payments without internet
- Despite the common belief that UPI always needs data, you can, in fact, make UPI payments even without an internet connection—and even without sending a text message.
- This is possible using RBI‑backed or NPCI‑backed services that run over standard mobile‑network signals instead of data.
UPI 123Pay service
- The Reserve Bank of India’s ‘UPI 123Pay’ service is designed for individuals who do not own a smartphone but have a bank account linked to their mobile number.
- Through this service, UPI payments can be made even using a basic mobile phone without an internet connection.
- You simply need to make a voice call to the UPI 123Pay IVR number, and the money reaches the recipient within minutes.
How to use UPI 123Pay
- Call the UPI 123Pay IVR number from your mobile phone.
- Once the call connects, listen to the instructions and select your preferred language.
- First‑time users must link their bank account (which is already associated with their mobile number) by following the voice‑guided prompts.
- After linking, choose the relevant transaction option—such as checking balance, sending money, or requesting money.
- Select the ‘Send Money’ option.
- Enter the recipient’s mobile number, UPI ID, or bank account number along with the IFSC code.
- Enter the payment amount.
- Enter your UPI PIN to complete the transaction.
- Disconnect the call once you receive the confirmation.
Important conditions for using UPI 123Pay
- To use UPI 123Pay, your mobile number must be linked to your bank account.
- During registration, the user is required to create a 4‑ to 6‑digit UPI PIN, which must be entered for every subsequent transaction.
- If you already have an existing UPI PIN, you can continue to use that same PIN.
- This service does not require an internet connection and works on most feature phones through normal voice calls.
Other offline‑UPI options
- Besides UPI 123Pay, several banks and payment networks also support offline‑UPI transactions via USSD by dialling codes like ‘*99#’ from the bank‑linked mobile number.
- These USSD‑based methods allow sending money, checking balance, and even changing the UPI PIN without an active internet connection.
