UPI is usually associated with smartphones, mobile apps and an internet connection. But what happens when the internet is slow, unavailable or the phone does not support a UPI app?

There are ways to make certain UPI payments with limited or no internet connectivity.

Depending on the phone, bank and service available, users can use *99#, UPI 123Pay, UPI Lite or UPI Lite X. These options do not all work in the same way. Some rely on telecom connectivity, while UPI Lite X is designed for offline payments using NFC.

So, the right option depends on what kind of phone and connectivity the user has.

Can You Make UPI Payments Without Internet?

Yes, but the method depends on the service being used.

Here are the main options:

Note: RBI recognises offline digital payments as transactions that can take place without internet or telecom connectivity, while specific UPI products use different technical methods to provide offline or low-connectivity functionality.

That distinction matters because *99# and UPI Lite X are not the same thing.

How Does Offline UPI Payment Work?

There is no single “offline UPI mode”. Instead, different UPI services solve the connectivity problem in different ways.

1. *99#

   This is a USSD-based service that can be accessed by dialling *99# from a supported mobile number. It uses a menu-based interface rather than a UPI app. NPCI introduced *99# as a common USSD service for accessing banking services through a mobile phone.

2. UPI 123Pay

   UPI 123Pay was designed to extend UPI functionality to feature-phone users. It includes voice-based payment options and does not require a smartphone or internet connection for the supported payment flow.

3. UPI Lite

   UPI Lite is designed for smaller-value payments and uses an on-device balance linked to a bank account. RBI has increased the UPI Lite limit to ₹1,000 per transaction and ₹5,000 as the wallet limit.

4. UPI Lite X

   UPI Lite X extends offline payment capability using NFC. It is designed for situations where internet or telecom connectivity is weak or unavailable, provided the user and merchant/device support the required NFC functionality.

How to Make an Offline UPI Payment Using *99#

For someone who has a supported mobile number and wants a menu-based option without using mobile data, *99# can be useful.

Step 1: Open the phone dialler

Use the mobile phone number registered with the relevant bank account.

Step 2: Dial *99#

The USSD menu will appear on the phone.

Step 3: Choose the required option

Follow the menu displayed on the screen. Depending on the service and bank, available options can include sending money and checking account information.

Step 4: Enter the recipient details

Depending on the available option, the user may be asked for details such as a UPI ID, mobile number or bank-account information.

Step 5: Enter the amount

Enter the amount to be transferred and check the details carefully.

Step 6: Authorise the transaction

Enter the required UPI PIN when prompted.

The transaction can then be processed through the supported USSD service.

Important Note: *99# does not mean that the phone has no network connection at all. It is a USSD service and therefore relies on the mobile network. It is useful when mobile internet/data is unavailable, not when there is no telecom connectivity whatsoever. NPCI describes *99# as a USSD service available through mobile telecom networks.

How to Make UPI Payments Without Internet Using UPI 123Pay

UPI 123Pay is particularly useful for people using feature phones or situations where a smartphone internet connection is not available.

NPCI describes UPI 123Pay as a phone-driven UPI solution that supports voice-based payments. Users can initiate a secure call through the relevant service and complete the required UPI process.

The broad process is:

1. Use a supported feature phone or compatible device.

2. Access the UPI 123Pay service through the available option.

3. Complete the required onboarding.

4. Select the payment service.

5. Enter or confirm the recipient and amount.

6. Authenticate the transaction using the UPI PIN or the method specified by the service.

UPI 123Pay is therefore different from an app-based UPI payment. It was specifically developed to make UPI more accessible to people who may not have smartphones or reliable mobile internet.

How Does UPI Lite Work Without Internet?

UPI Lite is designed for small-value payments.

The user first enables UPI Lite through a supported UPI app and transfers money from the linked bank account into the UPI Lite balance. Payments can then be made from this on-device balance without requiring the same real-time bank-account connection for every small transaction.

RBI increased the UPI Lite limit to ₹1,000 per transaction and ₹5,000 for the UPI Lite wallet in October 2024. Replenishment of the balance takes place online.

This makes UPI Lite useful for everyday, smaller payments where a user wants a simpler payment experience.

What Is UPI Lite X?

UPI Lite X is a more specific offline payment option that uses NFC technology.

Unlike a normal QR-based payment that generally needs the transaction message to reach the bank or payment system online, UPI Lite X is designed to allow supported offline payments through NFC-enabled devices.

RBI describes UPI Lite X as an offline payment facility introduced in September 2023 for situations where internet or telecom connectivity is weak or unavailable.

To use it, the user's phone needs NFC capability and the relevant UPI app and merchant setup need to support the service. NPCI's implementation guidance shows the user enabling UPI Lite X through the UPI app before making supported offline payments.

So, someone looking for a genuinely offline UPI payment option should not assume that *99# is the only answer. UPI Lite X is specifically designed for offline NFC payments.

What Is the Difference Between *99#, UPI 123Pay and UPI Lite?

The terms can be confusing because all of them address situations where a normal internet-based UPI payment may not be possible.

The key takeaway is simple: “UPI without internet” can mean different things depending on the technology being used.

Final Thoughts

A weak internet connection does not always mean that a UPI payment has to wait.

For basic access through a mobile network, *99# can be useful. Feature-phone users can consider UPI 123Pay, while UPI Lite and UPI Lite X offer different ways to handle smaller payments when normal internet connectivity is unavailable.

The important thing is to choose the option that matches the phone, bank account and connectivity available at the time. For users who regularly make small payments, enabling a supported offline UPI facility in advance can be more useful than trying to set one up when the internet has already disappeared.