In today’s world, the UPI or the Unified Payment Interface is a widely used form of payment. At times, when we make payments using UPI, you will not be able to complete the transaction due to bad internet connectivity. This is tiresome. However, UPI has an offline payment system wherein you can simply use the USSD number and complete the transaction. Users can avail of this facility if they have linked their mobile numbers with the bank account. To benefit from this service anytime and anywhere, dial *99# on your mobile phone. Let us now read on to understand how the offline UPI payment method works. 

Features and Benefits of *99# Service

Key features:

  • The service can be used anytime, anywhere even on holidays. 
  • It is accessible through a common code *99# across specific Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) operators and also mobile handsets. 

What is the Offline UPI Payment Number: Key Features and Benefits

The *99# is a mobile banking platform that facilitates users to perform banking transactions without the internet. 

  • The offline  UPI payment method is available throughout India including 83 leading banks and 4 telecom service providers. 
  • It supports menu-based apps which are convenient to use
  • By using *99#, you can get access to offline UPI. The best thing about this service is the flexibility of language that it offers, since you can choose the language that you are comfortable with from the 13 languages available including English and Hindi. 
  • The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) started the USSD service to create a unified and easy process to implement UPI transactions across several banks in India. 
  • All the users have to do is dial *99# on their registered mobile number, and they can transact the money with the help of an interactive menu available on the mobile screen. 
  • It has an additional channel for using the BHIM application. 
  • Currently, the upper limit for such transactions is Rs. 5,000. Additionally, you will be charged Rs. 0.50 per transaction to use this service. 

Read Also: Top 10 Best Upi Apps For Secure Online Payments

How to Set Up Offline UPI Payments?

Before using the option for offline UPI Payments, you have to do the setup for that. Here are the steps to do the same. 

Step 1: Dial *99# from the mobile number that is connected to your UPI ID and bank account. 

Step 2: Choose the desired language. 

Step 3: Enter the bank name. After this, you will see the list of the bank accounts which are linked to your mobile number.  

Step 4: Choose the desired bank account number. 

Step 5: You will then be asked to enter the last six digits of your debit card and the expiry date to complete the verification process. 

Step 6: Once all the added details are verified, then the offline UPI payment facility will get activated. 

How to Make Offline UPI Payments?

Here is a step-by-step guide to make offline UPI payments. 

Step 1: Dial 99# from the registered mobile number linked to your bank account. 

Step 2: Choose the desired language for the interactive menu

Step 3: Choose the option, 'Send Money' or 'Transfer Money’

Step 4:  Enter the beneficiary's mobile number or virtual payment address (VPA)

Step 5:  Now, enter the amount you wish to transfer

Step 6: Enter the UPI PIN to validate the transaction

Step 7: Confirm the details of the transaction successfully.

Step 8: Your UPI payment will be processed successfully.  

Conclusion

Nowadays, UPI payments have become unavoidable, so relying completely on the internet to make these payments is not ideal. So, make use of the USSD to pay without the internet. Even though the transaction limit is low, it will help you during many situations where you have to pay immediately even when there is poor connectivity of the internet. 

FAQs on offline UPI payments

1. How to make offline UPI payments in JIO?

Offline payment with JIO can be done similarly as it is done for other numbers. Here is the step-by-step guide. 

Step 1: Dial the USSD code *99# on your phone's dialler and press the call button. 

Step 2: You will be presented with a menu. Select “1” to send money.

Step 3: Enter the linked bank account number, registered phone number, and UPI ID. 

Step 4: You will be prompted to enter the amount you want to send. Key in the detail and validate it. 

Step 5: Enter the UPI PIN to confirm the transaction. The transaction will be completed once the UPI PIN is entered. 

2. Is offline UPI safe?

Yes. Offline UPI is safe