Now pay with just your fingerprint: PhonePe launches biometric UPI

PhonePe has launched biometric authentication for UPI payments, this new feature allows users to authorize transactions using their smartphone’s native security, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, eliminating the need to manually enter a UPI PIN for transactions.

Phone Pe in its press release stated, “By leveraging device-level biometric verification, this feature ensures that users can transact securely even in crowded public spaces, effectively eliminating the risk of ‘shoulder-surfing’ or PIN exposure. Beyond security, the integration significantly improves transaction success rates by reducing failures often caused by forgotten or incorrectly entered UPI PINs.”

Using device-level biometric verification as a secure two-factor authentication layer, this "one-touch" method feature allows UPI transactions up to Rs 5,000.

However, transactions exceeding this limit will continue to require UPI PIN authentication to ensure maximum security.

Consumers can use biometric authentication across every day use cases such as peer to peer money transfers, scanning a QR to make payments in-store or online payments and even to check their bank balance. Note that the feature is currently available for Android users, supporting both fingerprint and facial recognition capabilities, with iOS functionality expected to launch shortly.

Users can set up the feature in a few simple steps:
Step 1: Open the PhonePe app.
Step 2: Go to Profile.
Step 3: Tap on Manage Payments.
Step 4: Tap on the Biometric Pay Icon.
Enable Biometric Authentication for UPI Payments for respective bank accounts.

Confirm using your UPI PIN and Biometric for a one-time setup.