PhonePe on Tuesday launched the UPI Circle on its app, allowing its users to make payments on behalf of their family, friends or trusted contacts. The feature allows dependents to generate their own UPI ID without needing a linked bank account, opening up secure online payment solutions for those with limited access to digital financial services.
A UPI account holder (primary user), can add their family/trusted individuals (secondary user) to their circle using UPI ID or QR code and authorize payments for them from anywhere.
The primary user retains complete control over the usage, including the ability to review payment requests, track secondary user expenses, get secure access to detailed payment records within each circle and delink access from their UPI Circle, as needed.
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The feature’s security protocols and integration with the PhonePe app ensures a secure, reliable, and inclusive payment experience for all users, simplifying everyday transactions for PhonePe users and their trusted connections.
“UPI Circle is a significant step forward in extending the ease and convenience of digital payments for those who are underbanked and those new to the ecosystem. This can be a parent providing expenses to their college kids, authorizing payments on behalf of older parents who may be wary of digital payments or busy individuals who want to delegate household chores. Integrating UPI Circle into the PhonePe app, aligns perfectly with our vision of democratizing digital payments and making financial services accessible to all. This innovative addition to the UPI stack offering simplifies shared expenses and empowers users to create trusted payment circles that streamline their financial interactions. We’re confident that this will further accelerate the adoption of UPI across India,” Sonika Chandra, Chief Business Officer, Consumer Payments, PhonePe said.
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Here’s how PhonePe users can activate UPI Circle:
Step 1: Open the PhonePe app. On the home screen, users will get the option to enable UPI Circle
Step 2: To set up UPI Circle and link secondary users, tap ‘Invite Secondary Contact’ by either scanning their QR code or manually entering the UPI ID
Step 3: Secondary users must join the UPI Circle by accepting the invite received on their PhonePe app
Step 4: Once added to the UPI Circle, secondary users can select the primary user’s account as a payment option to start making payments
