UPI Payments Now Support Fingerprint and Face ID

India’s digital payments landscape is entering a new era. After transforming how millions transact daily, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is now undergoing its biggest technological leap yet: payments authenticated using fingerprints or Face ID instead of UPI PINs. This landmark upgrade was formally unveiled at the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2025, where Shri M. Nagaraju, IAS, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, announced a suite of innovations to enhance UPI’s accessibility and security.

The nationwide rollout officially started on October 8, 2025, marking India’s decisive move toward a PIN-free, frictionless digital payment ecosystem through biometric authentication.

UPI Biometrics Highlights

Here is an overview of the UPI biometric update:


Feature / Detail	Description
New Authentication Method	Fingerprint authentication and Face ID for approving UPI Payments
Traditional PIN Requirement	Removed for most transactions once biometric mode is enabled
Launch Announcement	Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2025
Rollout Timeline	From October 8, 2025
Supported Devices	Android and iOS devices with secure biometric hardware
Regulatory Authority	National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
Additional Features	Aadhaar-based Face Authentication for UPI PIN setup
Daily Limit (Proposed)	Up to ₹5,000 for biometric-approved transactions
User Consent	Mandatory opt-in; biometric use is optional
Extra Benefits	Digital inclusion, faster transactions, improved accessibility

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Understanding UPI With Biometric Authentication

To understand why this update is significant, it helps to see how UPI worked previously. Until now, UPI required a 4- or 6-digit PIN to authorize every transaction. Biometric authentication changes this process entirely.

With the new feature, users can authorize payments using:

Fingerprint recognition
Face ID (facial authentication)

Instead of manually entering a UPI PIN. This innovation is enabled through On-Device Biometric Authentication, which uses the smartphone’s built-in security systems. It does not require any external biometric hardware, making it usable for nearly every smartphone owner in India.

Importantly, this is an opt-in feature. Users have full control and can continue using the PIN if they prefer.

Also Read: Top 10 UPI Apps in India

Why UPI Is Moving Toward Fingerprints and Face ID

The shift to biometrics is driven by three major priorities: better security, faster transactions, and greater digital inclusion across India.

Enhanced Security

Biometric traits such as fingerprints and facial features are extremely difficult to duplicate. Unlike PINs, which can be guessed, shared, or stolen, biometric authentication adds a deeper layer of protection.

Even with biometrics, every transaction is independently validated by the issuing bank through strong cryptographic checks. This ensures the core security strength of UPI remains intact.

Improved Convenience

Typing a PIN for every transaction may feel cumbersome, especially during high-volume or time-sensitive payments. Biometrics simplify this process by allowing instant approval through a fingerprint or face scan.

Promoting Financial Inclusion

Millions struggle with typing PINs due to literacy challenges, unfamiliarity with digital systems, or physical limitations. Biometrics help these groups by simplifying payment approval.

This upgrade is especially beneficial for:

New digital users
Senior citizens
Less tech-savvy individuals
Rural and remote populations
Users without debit cards

By removing the PIN barrier, UPI becomes even more accessible.

Aadhaar-Based Face Authentication for Setting or Resetting UPI PIN

Another key innovation accompanying biometric payments is the ability to set or reset your UPI PIN using Aadhaar-based Face Authentication.

Traditionally, users needed:

Debit card details
Aadhaar OTP

This created obstacles for users who did not have debit cards or had limited access to network connectivity.

The new system uses the UIDAI FaceRD app, allowing users to verify their identity with facial recognition. This significantly improves onboarding for first-time UPI users and expands accessibility for those who previously found digital setup processes difficult.

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How UPI Fingerprint Payments Work: A Step-by-Step Guide

Biometric UPI payments require proper setup within the UPI application. Once enabled, the process is seamless.

Preparation Steps

To activate biometric payments:

Update your UPI app (Paytm, PhonePe, Google Pay, BHIM, or bank apps).
Open the “Settings” or “Security” section of the app.
Enable “Biometric Authentication” or “Fingerprint / Face ID for UPI Payments.”
Provide consent to use biometrics.
Enter your UPI PIN once to confirm activation.

Making a UPI Payment Using Fingerprint or Face ID

Open your UPI app.
Initiate the payment (scan a QR code, select a contact, or enter a UPI ID).
When asked for authentication, choose the biometric option.
Place your finger on the sensor or use Face ID.
The payment is approved instantly: no PIN required.

This mechanism is entirely secure and utilizes the device’s biometric capabilities without sending biometric data to external servers.

Suggested Read: UPI P2P Payment Requests Discontinued

Security Architecture Behind Biometric UPI Payments

Biometric UPI payments offer heightened security due to robust underlying technologies.

On-Device Processing

Biometric data remains on the device. Neither UPI apps nor NPCI receives or stores fingerprint or facial data.

Secure Hardware Integration

Modern smartphones use secure environments such as:

Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) for Android
Secure Enclave for iOS

This ensures biometric information cannot be tampered with.

Two-Factor Authentication Integrity

Biometrics serve as an additional factor for authentication, not a replacement. The system continues to maintain the principles of two-factor authentication.

Regulations and Transaction Limitations for Biometric Payments

NPCI mandates several safeguards for biometric UPI transactions:

Fresh Consent Requirement: Users must give fresh consent after changing devices or re-binding accounts.
Mandatory Biometric Disablement After PIN Reset: If the UPI PIN is reset on any linked app, biometric authentication is disabled across all UPI apps on that device. Users must manually re-enable it.
Transaction Limit: A daily transaction limit of up to ₹5,000 may be applied for biometric-authenticated UPI payments to balance convenience with controlled risk.

These rules ensure that security is not compromised even as convenience increases.

UPI Cash Withdrawals Through Biometrics at Micro ATMs

UPI biometrics are not limited to digital transactions. They extend to cash withdrawals as well.

Users can withdraw cash via UPI Cash Points (Business Correspondent Micro ATMs) by:

Scanning a QR code displayed on the terminal.
Approving the withdrawal using biometric authentication.

This provides an alternative to:

Card-based ATM withdrawals
Aadhaar-enabled payments (AePS)

This service is especially useful in rural areas where traditional ATMs may not be available.

Benefits of Fingerprint and Face ID UPI Authentication

Users and merchants gain several advantages from this new system:

For Users

Faster than entering a PIN
Greater security through biometric verification
Improved accessibility for those unable to enter PINs
More convenient payments at stores and public places

For Merchants

Reduced queue times
Fewer payment failures
Enhanced customer experience
Faster transaction turnaround

This upgrade strengthens UPI’s position as the world’s most efficient and inclusive digital payments system.

Previous Update: UPI Fingerprint & Face ID Payment

Conclusion

The introduction of biometric authentication for UPI payments is a foundational milestone for India’s digital economy. By allowing fingerprints and face ID to replace PINs, UPI is evolving into a more secure, accessible, and user-friendly system.

Combined with Aadhaar-based facial verification for UPI PIN setup and expanding access through biometric-enabled cash withdrawals, this upgrade ensures that digital payments become simpler for every Indian, whether in urban centers or the most remote villages.

The future of UPI is frictionless, secure, and inclusive, and biometric authentication is the key step toward that vision.