UPI Payment: How To Use UPI123Pay For Feature Phones?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched UPI123pay for feature phones on Tuesday in order to increase the digital economy and online payment acceptance across the nation. Customers using feature phones or phones with a basic keypad will be able to make UPI payments without having access to the internet as a result of the endeavour.

In an official statement issued on 8th March 2022, RBI has said "At present, efficient access to UPI is available on smart phones. UPI can be accessed through NUUP (National Unified USSD Platform) using the short code of *99#. But this option is cumbersome and not popular. Considering that there are more than 40 crore feature phone mobile subscribers in the country, UPI123pay will materially improve the options for such users to access UPI."

How To Use UPI123Pay For Feature Phones?

To transact online using the UPI123PAY function, you do not need to be connected to the internet. This service also comes in a multitude of Indian languages and can be used on both smartphones and feature phones. UPI123Pay for feature phones can be deployed following the steps below:

Step 1: At the time of making a UPI payment, individuals will be required to link their bank account with the feature phone.

Step 2: After successful linking, they are required to create a UPI PIN using their debit or credit card details.

Step 3: Post UPI PIN is set successfully, they can use their feature phones to conduct the services such as money transfer, LPG gas refill, FasTag recharge, mobile recharge, etc. To use any of these services, the user is required to call the IVR number of the selected service.

Step 4: To send money or transfer funds, individuals must first choose the recipient's phone number, then enter the amount and UPI PIN by calling the IVR number 08045163666.

Step 5: An individual can employ an app-based payment method and missed call payment method to make a payment to a merchant without having access to the internet.

Step 6: The feature phone users can also use the voice-based method to make digital UPI payments.

Options of UPI123Pay

According to a press release from the RBI, UPI123Pay has four distinct options which are as follows:

(a) App-based Functionality: An app would be installed on the feature phone through which several UPI functions, available on smartphones, will also be available on feature phones.

(b) Missed Call: This will allow feature phone users to access their bank account and perform routine transactions such as receiving, transferring funds, regular purchases, bill payments, etc., by giving a missed call on the number displayed at the merchant outlet. The customer will receive an incoming call to authenticate the transaction by entering UPI PIN.

(c) Interactive Voice Response (IVR): UPI payment through pre-defined IVR numbers would require users to initiate a secured call from their feature phones to a predetermined number and complete UPI on-boarding formalities to be able to start making financial transactions without an internet connection.

(d) Proximity Sound-based Payments: This uses sound waves to enable contactless, offline, and proximity data communication on any device.

How to raise complaints related to digital payments?

The RBI has also introduced DigiSaathi, a 24-hour helpdesk for digital payment users across products and services like Cards (Debit / Credit / Prepaid) - POS/ECOM, UPI, NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, AePS, NETC, BBPS, USSD, PPI Wallets, ATM, QR (UPI/Bharat), CTS, MTSS, TReDS, NACH, Mobile and Net banking.

Automated solutions on digital payment products and services are provided in Hindi and English via a variety of channels, including a toll-free number (1800-891-3333), a short code (14431), a website (www.digisaathi.info), and chatbots.

According to RBI "DigiSaathi will assist users with their queries on digital payments via website & chatbot facility and through toll-free calls where user can dial or call out the options / products for which the information is required. More interactive options and language choices shall be enabled going forward."