Friends, nowadays we are using mobile payment apps like PhonePe, Paytm, Google Pay a lot. Because of this, we have lost the habit of keeping cash. This can lead us to difficult situations. It may happen that we find ourselves without money as there is no internet in the mobile. However, there is a alternative way to pay through the mobile without the internet. This method is called as *99# payment which is based on USSD technology. Let us know in this article how money can be sent through UPI without the internet. What are the steps?
Difficult situations without the Internet
Friends, many times we go to some remote area where the internet is not available or sometimes our recharge runs out. In such a situation, we may be stuck without the cash.
Still, there are many rural areas where the internet does not work properly. Sometimes there is an internet problem even in urban areas.
Just last summer we went to Rishikesh. There were so many tourists there on Sunday that the internet was not working. Even making calls had become difficult. In such a situation, those people who were dependent on mobile payment faced a lot of trouble. In such situations, the USSD payment method is very useful.
Friends, nowadays even the government sometimes bans the internet to maintain law and order. The Internet was closed in Manipur for more than two months. In such situations, the USSD payment method can be a lifesaver.
What is USSD and how does it work?
USSD means Unstructured Supplementary Service Data. It is quite old technology. This technology is being used for 15-20 years. If you remember, till a few years ago we all used to use a code like *141# to check the balance and validity of our mobile. This code itself is called USSD code. These codes are used for essential facilities in offline mode.
What is the USSD code to send money without the internet?
Friends, the Government of India is continuously working to increase digital transactions. For this, NPCI has made it possible to do digital transactions without the internet. The NPCI has assigned the.*99# code for making payment without the internet. By dialing this code you can transact through UPI. Using this you can send money without the internet and even without a smartphone. Also, you can get other important information related to your account.
How to send money by Dialling *99#
You can send money by following some simple steps using USSD *99#.
Step 1- Choose Type of Transaction
Just like you dial a number to make a call from your mobile, you have to dial *99# for making payment.
As you press the call button, a message would appear on your screen.There will be 7 options in this. Apart from sending money, there are many other transactions which you can do through USSD.
- Send Money – To send money
- Request Money – To ask for money
- Check Balance -To check bank balance
- My Profile – Through this you can see your UPI details. With this you can also change the language.
- Pending Requests – for pending transactions
- Transactions – Last 5 transactions
- UPI PIN – To change PIN
We had to send money so we wrote 1 and sent it.
Step 2 – Give details of the Beneficiary
In the next screen, You will have 5 options to give the details of beneficiary. You can send money very easily through these options.
- Mobile Number – Just like you make payment by entering your mobile number in UPI apps, You can make payment here as well.
- UPI ID – When using UPI app, every user gets an UPI ID. This UPI ID can be used to receive payment without giving any other details.
- Saved Beneficiary – When we make UPI payment to someone, his name is saved in the system. You can use this option to make the payment again to that person.
- Account Details – If you know someone’s account number and IFSC details, then you can send money to him through this option.
Whatever details you want to give, choose the corresponding serial number. For example, we had to send money by entering the mobile number, so we wrote ‘1’ and tapped on ‘Send’
Step 3 – Enter mobile number
We had chosen the mobile number route for payment, so on the next screen we had to enter the mobile number.
If you choose UPI ID or bank account, you will be asked to enter their details.
So we entered the mobile number and tapped ‘send’ again.
Step 4- Specify the amount
After entering the mobile number, when we tap on send, in the next screen we will see the name of the recipient. The name would be fetched from the bank account of the beneficiary. It ensures that the money will go to the right account.
If the name is correct then write the amount of money you want to send and tap on send. On the next screen you have to write a remark. This remark will appear in your bank statement. Therefore, write it down accordingly. You can also skip it. For this you will have to write 1 and send it.
Step 5- Enter UPI PIN
Now a new dialogue box will open in front of you in which you will have to enter your UPI PIN. The transaction will be completed after entering the UPI PIN.
Keep in mind that you will be able to use this facility only from the number which is registered with the bank. Payment will not be possible through USSD from any other mobile number.
Which Mobile Operators Give This Service?
Friends, USSD service works through the 2G network of the GSM telecom companies. That is why Jio users cannot take advantage of this service as Jio doesn’t have the 2G license. That means the service of sending money without internet is only for the customers of four telecom companies.
- Airtel
- vodafone idea
- BSNL
- MTNL
Limit for sending money through USSD
Friends, USSD works without the internet. This service is a companion for difficult times. But it also has some limitations. You can send a maximum of ₹ 5000 through this method. That means big transactions cannot be done in this way. Whereas through normal UPI apps you can send up to one lakh rupees. In some special situations, there is an exemption to send up to Rs 5 lakh.
However, like other UPI apps, *99# also has the limit of Rs 1 lakh for every 24 hours. That means, if necessary, you can send a large amount by repeating the transactions. Just keep in mind that you can send money to non-merchant only 10 times in 24 hours. However, you can send money to the merchant as many times as you want.
Important questions and their answers
What if I lose my mobile phone?
If the mobile is lost then the first thing to do is contact the customer care of the telecom operator.Airtel, BSNLBlock your mobile number by calling ). As you block the number, no transaction will be done from that mobile number. However, if you have not told your UPI PIN to anyone then the transaction is not possible.
What is the timing of *99# service?
You can use this service at any time of the day. You can use this method even during holidays.
What kind of problems arise in USSD service?
1. Handset problem – Certain types of handset models do not support USSD. If you have the same model then there will be a problem. Although such handsets are very few
2. Problem in telecom service – Sometimes there is a problem in the servers of telecom companies due to which USSD messages are not able to go further.
3. Money will not be transferred even if wrong information about the recipient is given. For example, if you enter a wrong mobile number or do not enter 10 digits, an error will occur.
Is registration required through smartphone to use USSD service?
No, you can register from a feature phone also. If you have not already registered, you will be asked to register when you dial *99# for the first time. During registration you have to choose your bank account and set UPI PIN.
Does the recipient have to register before transferring money?
Registration of the recipient of money is not necessary. You can send money directly by entering the mobile number, account number or UPI ID.
Can we use both USSD and UPI app services from our smartphone?
Yes, you can make payment through the UPI app as well as USSD.
Do I have to register for *99# service to receive money?
It is not needed. Just the mobile number should be registered in the bank account. But if you want money through the UPI ID, you must register to UPI platform Either through the app or *99#.
Can I stop money after sending it without the internet?
No, once you enter the UPI PIN and send it, the payment immediately reaches the other person’s account. can’t stop it
What to do if you have forgotten UPI PIN
You can also reset UPI PIN through *99#
If someone else uses my mobile, can he send money by dialing *99#?
No, someone can send money from your mobile only if he knows the UPI PIN. So keep UPI PIN confidential
So friends, we hope that you must have benefited from this post. If you liked the post then please share it.
