Digital payments have become an essential part of daily life in India. Whether paying for groceries, booking rides, ordering food, or shopping online, UPI transactions now dominate everyday spending. In a significant move to make small payments faster, PhonePe has rolled out a new feature that allows users to transfer up to ₹5,000 without manually entering a UPI PIN.
The new capability uses biometric authentication, enabling users to verify payments through fingerprint or face unlock. This makes routine transactions quicker, smoother, and more convenient — especially for frequent low-value payments.
How the ₹5,000 PIN-Free Payment Feature Works
With this update, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions up to ₹5,000 can be authenticated using your smartphone’s built-in security system.
What changes for users?
- Your fingerprint or face recognition acts as the verification method
- No need to type the UPI PIN for eligible small payments
- Transactions complete faster with fewer steps
This is particularly useful for everyday expenses such as:
- Grocery purchases
- Pharmacy bills
- Food delivery payments
- Small online shopping transactions
However, security safeguards remain intact. For any payment exceeding ₹5,000, users must still enter their UPI PIN, ensuring stronger protection for higher-value transfers.
Who Can Use This Feature Right Now?
Currently, the biometric UPI payment option is available only to Android users. iPhone users are expected to receive the feature in a future update.
By introducing the feature in phases, PhonePe aims to ensure smooth performance and secure adoption across devices and platforms.
Step-by-Step: How to Enable Biometric Payments on PhonePe
Activating PIN-free payments is straightforward. Follow these steps:
- Open the PhonePe app and go to Profile
- Tap Manage Payments
- Select Biometric Pay
- Enable the feature for your linked bank account
- During setup, enter your UPI PIN once and register your fingerprint or face unlock
Once configured, all eligible transactions up to ₹5,000 will automatically use biometric authentication instead of asking for the PIN each time.
Key Benefits of the Update
⚡ Faster daily payments
Biometric verification reduces steps, making small transactions almost instant.
🔐 Strong security layer
Your phone’s secure fingerprint or face unlock adds protection against unauthorized use.
👍 More convenience
No need to repeatedly remember or enter the UPI PIN for routine purchases.
📱 Better user experience
The feature reduces friction in high-frequency, low-value payments.
What Users Should Keep in Mind
While the feature improves convenience, users should still follow basic safety practices:
- Keep your phone’s biometric lock enabled
- Do not register biometrics on shared devices
- Immediately lock or wipe your phone if lost
- Monitor bank alerts regularly
These precautions help maintain the security of your digital payments.
PhonePe’s biometric payment feature marks an important step toward frictionless digital transactions in India. By allowing PIN-free payments up to ₹5,000, the platform is making everyday UPI usage faster while maintaining strong security controls.
As digital payments continue to evolve, such innovations are expected to further simplify how users manage routine financial transactions.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Features, limits, and availability may change based on updates from PhonePe or your bank. Users should verify the latest details within the official app before making transactions.
