How to Make Offline UPI Payments Easily in India?
Reviewed by: Fibe Research Team
- Updated on: 28 Aug 2025
Reviewed by: Fibe Research Team
UPI makes paying quick and easy. But what if your internet is not working? That is where offline UPI payments help. You can send money, check your balance or make purchases without mobile data or Wi‑Fi. This method works on both smartphones and basic phones. It uses the *99# USSD code to connect to your bank through the UPI system. It is simple, safe and works even in low-network areas.
Offline UPI payments are digital transactions you make without internet access. Instead of opening a UPI app, you dial *99# from your phone. This connects to your bank using the National Payments Corporation of India’s secure USSD-based service.
You can send or request money, check balances or view recent transactions. The service works with all Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) networks and most banks in India. Here, every payment is verified using your UPI PIN.
Here is how different UPI offline payments compare. They are a smart choice when you are wondering how to pay without internet in places with weak or no network.
| Method | Device needed | Internet | Limit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *99# USSD | Any GSM phone | No | ₹5,000 per transaction | General use in low network areas |
| UPI Lite | Smartphone | Sometimes | ₹500 per debit ₹2,000 wallet | Small quick payments without PIN |
| UPI Lite X | Smartphone with NFC | No | ₹500 per debit ₹2,000 wallet | Tap to pay without data |
| UPI 123PAY | Feature phone | No | ₹5,000 per transaction | Voice or IVR based payments |
The UPI without internet *99# service started in November 2012 with MTNL and BSNL. In 2014 it expanded under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. So more users could send money without internet.
UPI launched in August 2016 for smartphones. USSD 2.0 went live on 30 December 2016, so feature phones could use UPI payment without internet through *99#. Today *99# supports 13 languages and 83 banks. It is a simple option if you want to know how to send money without internet.
Here’s what you need to do to enable offline UPI payments:
Once enabled, you can use it any time to make a UPI payment without internet.
When you dial *99#, a menu will appear. You can choose either to ‘Send Money’, ‘Check Balance’ or ‘Request Money’ then follow the prompts. To send money without internet:
The money is sent instantly and you see a confirmation message. This is the simple process of how to transfer money without internet while keeping your transaction secure.
Whether you are travelling or facing a short network issue, knowing how to do UPI payment without internet can make life simpler. Offline UPI payments are safe, quick and easy to set up. With options like *99#, UPI Lite, UPI Lite X and 123PAY, there is always a way to pay!
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Yes. You can use *99# to pay without internet on both smartphones and basic phones. It is quick, secure and works in most parts of India.
Dial *99# from your registered mobile number. Select the payment option, enter the details and confirm with your UPI PIN. You can also try other offline methods like UPI Lite, UPI Lite X for tap and pay or UPI 123PAY for feature phone payments.
Dial *99#, choose the service you need. Enter the recipient’s details, transfer amount then confirm with your UPI PIN. The payment is processed instantly and you will get a confirmation message.
*99# is the code you can use to make offline payments from your registered mobile number. All you have to do is dial the code and select ‘Send Money’, enter details and confirm with your UPI PIN.
For *99#, it’s ₹5,000 per transaction. For UPI Lite/Lite X, it’s ₹500 per debit with a ₹2,000 wallet balance.
