UPI Biometric Payment Feature: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has taken Digital India a step further by making biometric payment features mandatory for all payment apps. Whether you’re an Android user or an iPhone enthusiast, you’ll be able to make payments in the blink of an eye with just your fingerprint or Face ID, without entering a PIN. This new update will not only increase your transaction speed but also significantly reduce server failures during peak hours. Let’s understand in detail how this new technology works and how you can set it up on your phone.
Secured Payments with Face ID Now
Until now, biometric payments were limited primarily to select Android apps, but now the door is fully open for Apple users as well. iPhone users will now be able to make UPI payments using their Face ID. Your payment app (such as PhonePe, Google Pay, or Paytm) must be updated to the latest version, and your bank must support this feature.
More from Vikram Singh
As soon as you proceed with the payment, the app will ask for permission to scan your face, and your transaction will be successful within seconds. This feature will prove to be a boon for those who feel insecure entering their secret PIN in crowded places.
Payment Methods Changed
The advent of biometric payments has transformed the entire payment experience. While previously you had to remember a PIN for every payment, big or small, now your own body (thumb or face) will be your key. Smartphones with fingerprint sensors will require users to use their thumb or finger. Since modern iPhones don’t have Touch ID, Face ID will be used.
Although many Android phones also have a ‘Face Unlock’ feature, due to its low security level, NPCI has only approved fingerprints on Android. For security reasons, PINs are mandatory for amounts above ₹5,000 to ensure complete security for large transactions.
Benefits of Biometric Payments
The biggest benefit of this revolutionary move by NPCI will be that transactions will now be faster than ever. It’s often seen that during festivals or sales, when millions of people use UPI simultaneously, payments fail due to delays in PIN authentication. Biometric authentication works directly at the device level, reducing the load on bank servers. Since over 70% of UPI transactions in India are less than ₹5,000, this feature will make everyday small purchases superfast and hassle-free.
How to set up on PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm
If you also want to enjoy this superfast feature, you can enable it very easily. First, go to your phone’s Play Store or App Store and update your favorite payment app to the latest version. Then, go to the app’s settings, find the ‘Biometric Payment’ or ‘Pay with FaceID/Fingerprint’ option, and click on it. Select the bank account you want to enable this feature on. Finally, enter your existing UPI PIN once and confirm the biometric authentication. Your phone will be ready to make PIN-free payments immediately.