How to Get a UPI ID and Where to Find It in Your App
Your complete guide to UPI IDs: learn how to create your unique identifier and easily find it in your app for swift digital transactions.
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) ID serves as a unique digital identifier, streamlining how individuals conduct financial transactions. This identifier, often called a Virtual Payment Address (VPA), enables seamless, instant money transfers directly between bank accounts. It removes the need to share sensitive banking details, such as account numbers or routing codes, for making or receiving payments. The UPI system fundamentally simplifies digital transactions, making them convenient for users.
Preparing to Get Your UPI ID
An active bank account is required, as the UPI ID directly links to your financial institution for all transactions. This linkage facilitates direct debits and credits when sending or receiving funds. A mobile number must be actively linked to that specific bank account for verification and security purposes.
A smartphone equipped with internet access is also a necessity, as UPI operations are conducted through mobile applications. Selecting an appropriate UPI-enabled application is an important step. Popular choices include third-party apps like Google Pay or PhonePe, though many banks also offer their proprietary UPI applications. These applications serve as the interface through which the UPI ID is created, managed, and utilized for transactions.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your UPI ID
To get your UPI ID, begin by downloading a chosen UPI-enabled application from your smartphone’s official app store. Once installed, the application will prompt you to register your mobile number. This step involves sending an SMS from your registered mobile number to verify its connection to your bank account, typically followed by an One-Time Password (OTP) verification.
Following mobile number verification, you will proceed to link your bank account within the app. This usually involves selecting your bank from a provided list and allowing the application to fetch your account details. If you have multiple accounts with the same bank, you may need to select the specific account to link.
Setting up your UPI Personal Identification Number (PIN) is a security measure. This PIN is a four or six-digit code that authenticates all your transactions, similar to a debit card PIN. To establish this, you will typically need to enter the last six digits of your debit card number and its expiry date for verification. This process ensures that only the authorized account holder can approve transactions.
After successfully linking your bank account and setting your UPI PIN, the application will often generate a default UPI ID for you. This identifier commonly appears in a format such as yourname@bankname or yourmobilenumber@bankname. Depending on the specific application, you may have the option to customize this ID to a more memorable address.
Locating Your Existing UPI ID
If you have already established a UPI ID, locating it within your mobile application is straightforward. Most UPI-enabled applications display the UPI ID prominently within the user’s profile or account settings. Navigating to the “Profile” or “My Account” area of the app is generally the first step.
Within these sections, look for options such as “Bank Account,” “UPI IDs,” or “Payment Methods.” Your UPI ID will typically be listed alongside your linked bank account details. Some applications may also show your UPI ID near a generated QR code associated with your account, which is used for receiving payments. If multiple bank accounts are linked, each may have a corresponding UPI ID, and you can usually view them all by selecting the specific bank account.