Google Pay, India’s second-largest Unified Payment Interface (UPI) platform, has officially introduced support for UPI Lite payments. This new feature enables users to make small payments without needing a PIN, providing a faster and more convenient payment experience. Compared to traditional UPI payments, UPI Lite technology offers a higher success rate, even during peak hours.
Within the Google Pay app, existing users can now create a UPI Lite wallet, which allows them to load up to ₹2,000. Additionally, users can make transactions of up to ₹200 without requiring a PIN. However, there is a daily limit of loading ₹2,000 twice, resulting in a maximum spending limit of ₹4,000 per day for UPI Lite on Google Pay.
UPI Lite payment was initially introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in September 2022. Currently, UPI Lite is compatible with over 15 primary public sector and private banks. Paytm, PhonePe, and BHIM were the first UPI payment apps to introduce UPI Lite payments.
To activate UPI Lite on Google Pay, follow these steps:
Open the Google Pay app and go to the profile page.
Click on “Setup Payment Methods” and select UPI Lite.
Proceed by clicking “Continue” and add money (up to ₹2,000).
When paying using UPI Lite, select UPI Lite as the account.
Click “Pay PIN Free” to complete the transaction, swiftly transferring the amount to the recipient’s bank account.
The Unified Payments Interface, or UPI, has become a regular payment choice for millions of Indians as it allows consumers to transfer money from one bank account to another bank account within a few seconds, and that too without any hassle. Apps like Paytm, Google Pay, PhonePe, Amazon Pay, BHIM app, WhatsApp Pay, MobiKwik, and banking apps such as SBI Pay, BOB Pay, and Axis Pay are a few of the top UPI payments apps in the country.
Almost 6 out of 10 smartphone-owners in India have one of these apps in their smartphones, which is directly linked with their respective bank accounts. All of the apps mentioned above are secured, and as per the latest reports, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has recently developed a method for transferring funds via UPI that does not require the use of an internet or mobile application.
The newly developed technology named USSD 2.0 allows smartphone users to send money via UPI by dialling*99# instead of the old method, which only works when the phone is connected to the internet. Almost every user knows how to utilise these UPI apps, but do you know how to block or deactivate these UPI payments apps from being misused if you lose your mobile phone? If not, we’re here to be your saviour.
All major banks in India support the UPI payment system to help the country transform into a digital economy. Currently, it is the most common and most favourable payment system in the country, with over 3000 million transactions to date. Also, in a highly populated country like ours, losing a smartphone is not a big deal, but it will definitely raise security concerns if you have an active UPI account on your smartphone.
Nowadays, even a street vendor in India offers an option to pay via UPI, and every passing day we’re getting more addicted to the transaction system. Staying safe and alerted will never wreck you down, so first, understand one crucial element about UPI payment systems before getting into the step-by-step guide. Never share your UPI PIN or any other delicate details with anyone after losing your smartphone and during the whole process.
Step-by-Step guide on How to Block UPI Payments apps if You Lose Your Phone?
If you have a Paytm Account:
Step 1: Take another phone and call Paytm Payments Bank helpline number 01204456456, which will connect you with the customer care executive.
Step 2: After connecting, select the option for a lost phone.
Step 3: Later on, choose the option to enter an alternative number and enter your lost mobile number.
Step 4: Choose to log out from all devices, and head to the Paytm website, to select 24×7 help.
Step 5: Further, choose ‘Report a fraud’ and select an appropriate or any category.
Step 6: Click on the “message us” option and submit proof of account ownership (it can be either your credit/debit card statement showing Paytm transactions or a confirmation email/SMS for a Paytm account transaction or police complaint proof against lost or stolen phone)
Step 7: Once verified, Paytm will approve your request and block your account, and you’ll receive a confirmation message from the company.
If you have a Google Pay Account:
Step 1: If you’re a Google Pay user, then call the helpline number 18004190157 to block your account
Step 2:
Choose your preferred language.
Inform the customer care executive about your issue.
Ask them to block your Google Pay account.
Step 3: If you’re an Android user, then you’ve one more alternative to block your Google Pay account. Android users can ‘remote wipe’ data from their phones saving them from after theft issues.
Step 4: Meanwhile, iOS users can follow the same by erasing their data remotely, but first enable Find My iPhone settings.
If you have a Phonepe Account:
Step 1: Phonepe users can call the helpline number 08068727374 or 02268727374.
Step 2: Select a preferred language and report your issue with your Phone Pe account by selecting the appropriate number option.
Step 3: Enter your registered phone number to get an OTP and then choose the option of not having received OTP.
Step 4: Now, select the given option to report loss of SIM or mobile phone.
Step 5: Further, you’ll be connected to the executive who will ask you the required information related to your account, and then the executive will initiate your block request.
If you have any other UPI Payment Accounts:
Step 1: First, call the customer care service of your network provider and request them to block your mobile number, which will restrict thieves from misusing your mobile number, generating a new UPI PIN, and do anything with your pre-linked UPI accounts.
Step 2: Next, call your bank helpline number and request them to deactivate your account linked mobile number and disable the UPI service.
Step 3: File an FIR complaint about losing your mobile phone and get a copy of the report so that you can use the copy of the FIR to apply for the same SIM card number in future.
We can’t deny the fact that we live a life either in our way or Google way; this is the level of impact Google has on our lives. Right from searching for something to paying someone online, Google apps surround us; without any doubt, we can say Google is the best friend we haven’t seen yet but been with it all the time.
In a recent I/O 2021 event, Google announced many more things, including Android 12 preview beta, a futuristic 3D video calling booth, lots of health-focused apps, and a foldable phone with the name Passport, but most of these things are associated with the future and currently limited for a few specific devices. But there’s no need to panic out as Google has more than 100 apps issued on the Play Store and Apple App Store that can make your day to day life better, and here, we’ve enlisted a few of the most incredible and must-have apps from Google.
Google Drive
Google Drive is a cloud-based storage option that lets you store your images, videos, documents, files, and almost every sort of material allowed with your phone on their cloud server. The default Android app provides you with 15 GB of free storage, with that you can access, edit and share materials from anywhere to anyone, that too, in a super-smooth way. You can work on Microsoft Word or Excel documents in Google Drive and collaborate with your teammates with an easy to use interface. Google Drive arrives with a safe option where you can set access levels for who can view, comment or edit your data; also, the app lets you share your data materials with anyone using a custom link.
Snapseed
Snapseed is a Google-owned photo-editing application that allows users to beautify photos and apply pre-loaded digital filters. If you’re trying your hands at smartphone photography and wishing to get an impressive number of followers on Instagram, then you should Snapseed right away; it’s a kind of application even professional photographers recommend to others and use to enhance their photos. When compared to other photo-editing apps, Snapseed is way too easy to learn, and once you understand its inner beats, there’s no coming back.
Google Forms
Google Forms is a web-based app that’s completely free with a Google account, and you can access it anywhere, anytime. If you’re running an NGO, a registration campaign, questionnaires, or any kind of survey, Google Forms is the app that’ll help you in every way to know better about what your clients want. The application allows you to create professional-looking forms/surveys using themes and can be shared with respondents by sending a link, or you can even embed them on your webpage or blog.
PhotoScan
Have you ever thought of turning your old physical photos into digital form? If yes, then you must have known about the Google PhotoScan app. The app uses your smartphone’s camera to let you scan and save your preferred printed photos. The app doesn’t just take a photo of your physical photos; instead, it creates advanced digital scans, and about the results, you know how good Google is with its camera software.
Google Ads
Google Ads, also called PPC (PayPerClick), is an online advertising platform developed by Google to show paid ads, product listings, or videos on Google search results. If you’re an advertiser who wants to grab the attention of your clients to grow your business, then Google Ads is the only app you’ll ever need. The app is an effective way to quickly generate a ton of qualified traffic toward your site, product, or online stores. Google Ads work better than SEO and even lets you target a specific audience from specific countries for better business opportunities. Once you learn how to use Google Ads, particularly about listings, then the app can be your major source to get the businesses.
Google Meet
Google Meet is an essential and secure video conferencing application for those who want to conduct video meetings online. The app lets you create, join and share high-quality video meetings with up to 1,00,000 viewers. The app allows you to create events directly from the calendar and offers security on every connection, be it audio or video. Google Meet is extremely easy to use and authorises you to share your video, desktop, and presentations with others.
Google Photos
If you click tons of selfies or photos on a daily basis and always run out of storage every other week, then you should consider backing up your old photos with a pre-loaded Google Photos app. The app lets you store, share, view and edit photos and videos with an automatic backup, you just have to select the particular folders. Google Photos also notifies you when about photo memories along with date and location. The app is straightforward to use, and it comes with AI-boosted editing and organisation features, including facial recognition, automatic collages and auto-created movies.
Google Pay
Google Pay is one of the most popular apps developed by Google. The app offers paying-requesting money, bills, recharges, and other online transactions when you add your bank details linked with your current mobile number. The app provides lots of offers and reward points, so next time before you pay via Google Pay, look for the ongoing offers; you might end up earning a hefty cashback or discount after a successful transaction.
Google Arts & Culture
Google Arts & Culture is an excellent app that allows its viewer to visit historical and cultural artworks virtually, but it hasn’t been in the main flow due to less traction and lingered behind. Like its name, it is developed for people who are fond of Art & Culture; the app lets you explore arts, historical wonders and more from thousands of archives, museums and other history organisations. If you’re tired of indoor-travelling on Google Maps and want to go further in these pandemic days, then Google Arts & Culture is the app for you.
