UPI Without Internet? Here’s How It Actually Works
- Kalyan Bhattacharjee
- May 23
- 3 min read
Getting Started
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has transformed the way India transacts—but did you know you can use UPI even without an internet connection? Whether you're in a remote village or facing network issues, UPI’s offline feature ensures you can still send and receive money securely. Let’s break down how UPI works offline and how you can use it effortlessly.
💡 What Is Offline UPI? | (UPI Without Internet)
Offline UPI refers to a feature that allows users to perform transactions even when they don’t have an active internet connection. This is made possible through USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) technology and SIM-based offline methods like the *99# service.
🛠️ How Does It Work?
Step-by-step guide:
Dial *99# from Your Phone.
Open your dialer and enter *99#, then press the call button. This works across most telecom networks in India and doesn’t need a smartphone—any feature phone with a SIM card works too.
Choose Your Action:
You’ll see a text-based menu with multiple options like:
Send Money
Request Money
Check Balance
My Profile
Pending Requests
Transactions
UPI PIN
Enter Details:
Choose “Send Money” and enter the recipient’s Mobile number, UPI ID, or Bank account details.
Enter Amount and UPI PIN:
Specify the Amount and input your UPI PIN to complete the transaction.
Confirmation:
You’ll receive a confirmation message on your screen—no internet needed!
⚠️ Note: To use this service, your number must be linked to your bank account and UPI should already be set up.
🔐 Is UPI Without Internet Safe?
Yes. Offline UPI is regulated by the NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) and protected by your UPI PIN. Since USSD sessions are time-bound and encrypted, the risk of fraud is minimal—though you should never share your UPI PIN with anyone.
Requirements to Use Offline UPI⚙️
Registered mobile number linked to your bank account
UPI enabled on your bank account
Any mobile phone (smartphone or feature phone)
Telecom network access (but no need for mobile data)
What Else You Can Do with *99#
Here are the key features you can access through the *99# menu:
💸 Send Money via UPI ID, mobile number, or bank account + IFSC.
🧾 Check Account Balance instantly.
🙋♂️ Request Money from another user.
🔐 Change or Reset UPI PIN.
📃 View Past Transactions.
👤 Manage Profile and set language preferences.
Who Should Use Offline UPI?
Users in low-network zones
Feature phone users
People without active data plans
Emergency situations (low battery/data)
Limitations of *99#
While *99# is powerful, it does come with a few limitations:
It may not support all banks (check NPCI’s list).
The UI is text-only and less user-friendly than UPI apps.
It has a time limit (2 minutes) per session.
Daily transaction limits apply.
📈 Why It Matters
Inclusivity: Empowers people in rural areas with no internet access
Accessibility: Allows elderly users or those without smartphones to use digital payments
Reliability: Works even during internet outages or poor signal conditions
Key Takeaways 📝
Offline UPI is not just a backup—it’s a smart, accessible way to stay financially connected. Whether you're out of data or using a basic phone, digital payments are now truly at your fingertips. So next time your internet fails, remember: *99# has your back.
*Want to try it out? Dial 99# now and explore offline UPI firsthand.
Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever used UPI without the internet!
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