In today's rapidly evolving digital world, security and convenience go hand-in-hand. With millions of users of upi apps for everyday transactions, security on the platform without sacrificing convenience is incredibly important. Biometric authentication is about to revolutionize the payment process as the NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) has introduced a new feature. It lets users authenticate their upi payment using their fingerprint scanner or biometric scanner instead of entering their upi pin as you normally would. 

Picture being able to pay bills, send money, or shop online without the need to remember or enter your PIN – just using your fingerprint or face unlock from your mobile device. In this how-to guide, we will explain how the new upi feature works, how to get it set up, and why this is a major step forward in digital payments.

What is Biometric Authentication in UPI?

The essential functions of biometric authentication are to authenticate and authorize transactions based on your identity. It uses a unique biological marker, such as a fingerprint, face recognition, or iris recognition. Although it is undoubtedly important for biometric technology to authenticate you as the legitimate account holder. The system is meant to authenticate you as the account holder instead of using a numerical password like a PIN number for your identity.

In simple terms:

• Fingerprint scanner: Approve payments by placing your finger onto the phone's internal scanner.

• Face unlock: Complete transactions with the phone’s front-facing camera.

Biometric authentication adds an additional layer of security, so only the rightful owner of the device can authorize the payment to confirm the upi payment.

Why Introduced by NPCI?

The NPCI aims to deliver security and access to benefit all users who use digital payments.

 PIN-based UPI authorization has some practical limitations.

• People forget or confuse their pins.

• Fraudsters may sometimes fool users into revealing their PINs.

• By entering a PIN in a public place, you expose and compromise that sensitive information.

To tackle these problems, NPCI has added biometric scanners in the upi framework so that we can authenticate payments at the device level using trusted mobile hardware. 

Doing this means:

• No dependence on memory: You no longer have to remember a upi pin.

• Reduced fraud risk: There is no chance of someone stealing your PIN.

• Faster payments: You can authorize instant payment just by tapping a finger or looking at your device.

Playing the Biometric UPI Payment Game

The solution is simple, which provides the best of both worlds. This is the way to set it up:

• Register Your Device: Your smartphone will require a fingerprint or face unlock option. You will first need to register the biometric data in the settings of your phone.

• Linking Your Bank Account: Link your bank account with upi id (for example, Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm) with biometric authentication setup.

• Activating Biometric UPI: Once you are logged into your Upi app, the users should go to Settings → Security → Enable Biometric Payment Authentication.

• UPI Payments: Select your contact or merchant and type in the amount.

Rather than your pin, simply use your fingerprint or face unlock to authorize.

That’s it - your upi payment completes instantly and securely.

Advantages of Using Biometric for UPI Payments

Using biometric for upi authorization has several benefits:

• Enhanced Security: Because each fingerprint is unique and facial structure, biometric data (fingerprints) is hard to forge. So, there is less risk of fraud and unauthorised access.

• Simplicity: No more complex PINs. Only utilize the fingerprint scanner or face authentication of your device to authenticate your payment in seconds.

• Quick Transactions: Because there is no need to put in a PIN, transactions are quicker, which is good for people who are busy.

• Convenience For Everyone: Regular customers or those who are new to electronic transactions don't have to remember a lot of numbers because they can just use physical verification.

• Doesn't require installation: Most smart phones are configured for biometric verification, so there are no additional apps or software to install.

Steps to Alter Your UPI PIN 

While biometric authentication can be easier than merely entering a upi pin, some users still want or need to use upi.

Use the process below to alter your UPI PIN:

• The first step is to open the upi application (such as Google Pay, Phone Pay or Paytm).

• Next, go to the settings tab, find the Bank accounts tab and select your bank.

• Choose to Change upi pin or to Reset upi pin.

• Then, type the last six digits of your debit card, and its expiry date.

• Create and confirm a new upi pin consisting of 4 or 6 digits.

If your app supports biometrics, turn on both the upi pin and biometric scanner for double protection.

Compatibility: Which devices currently support biometric upi payments?

At this point in time, most modern Android and iOS devices with built-in biometric sensors are able to support this new feature. Some devices that facilitate biometric unlocking includes:

• Mobile phones that have fingerprint sensors whether that is on-screen or to the side.

• Phones that use facial recognition technology

• Devices running Android 10 or higher or iOS 15 or higher.

The following banks and upi apps are working on implementing this feature, and you should see an option for "Enable Biometric Payments" in your app settings very shortly.

The Future of UPI: Revolving Towards Biometric Scanning

The introduction of biometric scanning in upi signifies a watershed moment for digital payments in India and a big part of that is a bigger goal to make financial transactions:

• Frictionless: Minimum manual commands.

• Inclusive: Easier usage for all.

• Ultra-secure: Stronger protection against fraud.

In the very near future we may see voice recognition and/or irises scanning added to authenticate payments through upi. This would only further the problems of re-imagining digital payment in India. 

Conclusion

With the pilot of payment authentication through device biometric scanners, digital payments in India have entered a smarter, safer era. By removing a manual PIN entry for convenience, these, and more, biometric scanning will improve overall security.

 

Whether that is through fingerprint scanning or facial recognition, the future of payments without friction or security concerns is already here and in your hands. Stay tuned within your upi app for the latest features and as soon as it rolls out biometric features, give it a try — because the future of secure and simple payments is only a fingerprint or scan away!