How to Enable UPI Autopay: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

In today’s fast-paced digital economy, managing recurring payments—whether for utilities, subscriptions, insurance, or loan EMIs—has become a necessity. Manual payment processes are time-consuming, prone to human error, and can lead to service disruptions if missed. Enter UPI Autopay: a secure, seamless, and automated payment mechanism built into India’s Unified Payments Interface ecosystem. Enabling UPI Autopay allows users to authorize recurring payments directly from their bank accounts without needing to log in to apps or enter UPI PINs repeatedly. This guide provides a comprehensive, actionable walkthrough on how to enable UPI Autopay, along with best practices, real-world examples, and essential tools to ensure you maximize convenience while maintaining financial security.

UPI Autopay is not just a convenience feature—it’s a foundational shift in how Indians interact with digital payments. By eliminating friction in recurring transactions, it reduces payment failures, improves cash flow for businesses, and enhances user experience. Whether you’re paying your monthly Netflix subscription, your electricity bill, or your home loan EMI, UPI Autopay ensures timely, hassle-free transactions. This tutorial will walk you through every step required to activate UPI Autopay across major platforms, explain the underlying mechanics, and help you avoid common pitfalls.

Step-by-Step Guide

Enabling UPI Autopay is straightforward, but the process varies slightly depending on your bank’s app, the merchant platform, and the type of recurring payment you wish to set up. Below is a detailed, platform-agnostic guide covering the most common scenarios.

Step 1: Verify Your UPI ID and Bank Account

Before enabling UPI Autopay, ensure your UPI ID is active and linked to a bank account with sufficient transaction limits. UPI IDs (e.g., yourname@upi or yourmobile@bankname) are generated through any UPI-enabled app such as Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, or your bank’s own mobile application.

To verify:

• Open your preferred UPI app.
• Go to the “Profile” or “Bank Accounts” section.
• Confirm that your bank account is listed and active.
• Ensure your UPI ID is correctly associated with that account.

If your account is not linked or shows as inactive, follow the in-app prompts to add or re-verify your account. This step is critical—UPI Autopay cannot be enabled without a verified, active bank account.

Step 2: Identify the Recurring Payment Service

Not all merchants support UPI Autopay. Look for the “Set Up Autopay” or “Enable Recurring Payment” option on the service provider’s website or app. Common services that support UPI Autopay include:

• Electricity and water bill providers (e.g., BSES, Tata Power, MCGM)
• Internet and cable providers (e.g., JioFiber, Airtel Xstream, ACT Fibernet)
• Streaming platforms (e.g., Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar)
• Insurance companies (e.g., LIC, HDFC Ergo, SBI General)
• Loan and credit card payment portals
• Gym memberships, tuition fees, and subscription boxes

If you don’t see an option for UPI Autopay, check the “Payment Methods” section or contact the merchant’s support through their official channel. Many services have rolled out UPI Autopay in phases, so availability may vary by region or user type.

Step 3: Initiate Autopay Setup Through the Merchant Platform

Once you’ve identified a service that supports UPI Autopay, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your account on the merchant’s app or website.
2. Navigate to the “Billing,” “Payments,” or “Subscription” section.
3. Select “Set Up Autopay” or “Enable Recurring Payment.”
4. Choose “UPI” as the payment method.
5. You will be redirected to your UPI app (e.g., PhonePe, Google Pay, or your bank’s app) to authorize the mandate.

At this point, your UPI app will display a mandate request. This includes:

• The name of the merchant
• The amount (fixed or variable)
• The frequency (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly)
• The validity period (usually 1 to 5 years)
• A unique mandate reference number

Review all details carefully. Once confirmed, you will be prompted to enter your UPI PIN to authorize the mandate. This step is non-negotiable and ensures you are the sole approver of the recurring payment.

Step 4: Confirm Mandate Activation

After entering your UPI PIN, you will receive an on-screen confirmation and an SMS or email from your bank confirming the mandate registration. The message will include:

• Mandate ID
• Merchant name
• Next payment date
• Maximum amount per transaction

Save this information. You may need it later to modify or cancel the mandate.

Some apps, like Google Pay and PhonePe, also display active mandates under a dedicated “Autopay” or “Mandates” tab in their main menu. Check this section to verify your setup.

Step 5: Test the Autopay Setup

While UPI Autopay is designed to trigger automatically, it’s wise to test the setup before relying on it for critical payments. Most merchants allow you to schedule a “test payment” during setup. If not, you can manually trigger a payment one cycle early to confirm the process works.

Monitor your bank statement or UPI app notifications for the deduction. If the payment is successful, you’ll see a transaction labeled with the merchant’s name and the mandate ID.

If the payment fails, check:

• Whether your bank account has sufficient balance
• If the mandate has expired or been revoked
• Whether the merchant has updated their UPI integration

Resolving issues early prevents service interruptions.

Step 6: Manage Multiple Autopay Mandates

Many users enable UPI Autopay for multiple services. To avoid confusion:

• Keep a spreadsheet or note in your phone listing each mandate: merchant, amount, frequency, mandate ID, and expiry date.
• Use your UPI app’s mandate dashboard to view all active authorizations.
• Set calendar reminders for mandate expiry dates—most mandates last 1–5 years but require renewal.

Some banks now allow you to view all UPI mandates across apps through their net banking portal. Check if your bank offers this feature under “UPI Mandates” or “Recurring Payments.”

Best Practices

While UPI Autopay is convenient, it’s not without risks. Mismanagement can lead to unauthorized deductions, overdrafts, or subscription creep. Follow these best practices to ensure safety, control, and efficiency.

Only Authorize Trusted Merchants

Never enable UPI Autopay for unfamiliar or unverified platforms. Stick to well-known service providers with established reputations. If a merchant asks you to share your UPI PIN or OTP to set up autopay, stop immediately—this is a scam. Legitimate UPI Autopay mandates are initiated through your bank’s app or the merchant’s official platform, never via phone calls or unverified links.

Set Realistic Payment Limits

Some UPI apps allow you to set a maximum amount per transaction for mandates. If available, cap the amount to your expected bill range. For example, if your monthly electricity bill is ₹1,500, set the limit to ₹2,000. This prevents accidental over-deductions due to billing errors.

Monitor Your Bank Statements Regularly

Even with autopay enabled, review your bank statements weekly. Look for unfamiliar transactions or duplicate charges. UPI Autopay transactions are clearly labeled with the merchant name and mandate ID, making them easy to trace.

Many UPI apps also offer transaction alerts. Enable push notifications for all UPI payments to receive instant updates.

Use Separate Bank Accounts for Autopay

If possible, link a dedicated bank account to your UPI Autopay mandates—especially for non-essential subscriptions. This helps you:

• Track recurring spending more easily
• Prevent overdrafts on your primary account
• Quickly disable all autopay services by freezing one account

Some users maintain a low-balance account solely for subscriptions, transferring a fixed amount monthly from their main account.

Review and Cancel Unused Mandates

It’s easy to forget about subscriptions you no longer use—like gym memberships, streaming services, or trial periods that auto-convert to paid plans. Schedule a quarterly review of all active mandates.

To cancel a mandate:

• Open your UPI app (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, etc.).
• Go to “UPI Mandates,” “Autopay,” or “Recurring Payments.”
• Select the merchant you wish to cancel.
• Tap “Cancel Mandate” and confirm with your UPI PIN.

Some banks also allow cancellation via net banking. Once canceled, the merchant cannot initiate further payments.

Update Your UPI App and Bank Settings

Always keep your UPI app and bank mobile app updated. New security patches, mandate management features, and compliance updates are rolled out regularly. Outdated apps may not display mandates correctly or may lack the latest fraud detection tools.

Understand the Difference Between Autopay and Auto-debit

UPI Autopay is not the same as ECS (Electronic Clearing Service) or NACH auto-debit. UPI Autopay uses real-time authorization via UPI mandates and is governed by NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) guidelines. It’s faster, more transparent, and easier to cancel than traditional auto-debit systems.

Unlike NACH, which requires physical forms and longer processing times, UPI Autopay is fully digital and can be set up in under 2 minutes. Always prefer UPI Autopay over legacy auto-debit methods when available.

Tools and Resources

Several tools and resources can help you manage UPI Autopay more effectively. Below are the most reliable and widely used platforms.

1. UPI Apps with Mandate Dashboards

Not all UPI apps offer the same level of mandate visibility. The following apps provide comprehensive dashboards to view, modify, or cancel all active UPI Autopay mandates in one place:

• Google Pay: Go to Profile → Payments → UPI Mandates. Displays all active mandates with status, merchant, amount, and expiry.
• PhonePe: Profile → Payments → Autopay. Includes a “Manage Mandates” section with filters by merchant and status.
• Paytm: Paytm Wallet → Payments → Autopay. Allows cancellation and editing of mandates directly.
• Bank Apps (SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis): Many major banks now integrate UPI mandate management into their net banking or mobile apps under “UPI Services” or “Recurring Payments.”

2. NPCI Mandate Portal

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) offers a centralized portal for UPI mandates: https://www.npci.org.in. While primarily designed for institutional users, individual customers can use this site to understand UPI mandate standards, read FAQs, and verify the legitimacy of a merchant’s UPI integration.

Look for the “UPI” section and download the “UPI Autopay User Guide” for official documentation.

3. Financial Tracking Apps

Apps like Moneycontrol, ETMoney, and Walnut allow you to link your bank accounts and automatically categorize recurring UPI payments. These tools help you visualize your subscription spending, set budget limits, and receive alerts for upcoming mandates.

For example, Walnut syncs with your UPI transactions and flags recurring payments under “Subscriptions,” showing you how much you’re spending monthly on autopay services.

4. Bank Alerts and SMS Notifications

Enable SMS and push notifications for all UPI transactions. Most banks allow you to customize notification settings via net banking. Set alerts for:

• All outgoing UPI payments
• Mandate creation or cancellation
• Low balance warnings

These alerts act as your first line of defense against unauthorized or unexpected deductions.

5. UPI Mandate Templates (For Businesses)

If you’re a business owner or service provider offering UPI Autopay to customers, NPCI provides standardized mandate templates for integration. These templates ensure compliance and reduce customer confusion. Download them from the NPCI developer portal at https://www.npci.org.in/what-we-do/upi/developer-resources.

Real Examples

Real-world scenarios help illustrate how UPI Autopay works in daily life. Here are three detailed examples:

Example 1: Automating Your Electricity Bill

Sanjay lives in Mumbai and pays his BSES electricity bill monthly. Before enabling UPI Autopay, he would log into the BSES app every month, enter his consumer number, check the bill amount, and manually pay using UPI. He often forgot, leading to late fees.

He enabled UPI Autopay by:

1. Logging into the BSES app and selecting “Set Up Autopay.”
2. Choosing “UPI” as the payment method.
3. Being redirected to Google Pay, where he selected his bank account and confirmed the mandate.
4. Entering his UPI PIN to authorize.

Now, every 15th of the month, BSES initiates a payment based on the actual consumption. Sanjay receives an SMS with the bill amount and mandate ID. He checks his statement and sees the transaction labeled “BSES UPI Mandate – Ref: BSES20240415.”

He saved 15 minutes per month and eliminated late fees. He also set a ₹3,000 transaction cap to prevent overcharges.

Example 2: Managing Netflix and Amazon Prime Subscriptions

Meera subscribes to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar. She used to pay each manually using her credit card, which sometimes expired or got declined.

She switched to UPI Autopay by:

1. Updating her Netflix and Amazon Prime payment methods to UPI.
2. Linking her PhonePe account (linked to her savings account) as the default payment source.
3. Authorizing each mandate through the PhonePe app.

Now, every month, ₹699 is deducted automatically from her account. She receives an alert for each transaction and reviews her spending in the PhonePe “Autopay” tab. She also canceled a forgotten Disney+ mandate after realizing she wasn’t using it.

Her monthly subscription spending is now predictable, and she no longer worries about service interruptions.

Example 3: Automating a Personal Loan EMI

Rahul took a ₹5 lakh personal loan with a 36-month tenure. His lender, a fintech platform, offered UPI Autopay as the only payment option.

He enabled it by:

1. Logging into his loan portal and selecting “Set Up EMI Autopay.”
2. Choosing UPI and entering his UPI ID: rahul@icici.
3. Being redirected to the ICICI Bank app, where he reviewed the mandate: ₹16,200/month for 36 months.
4. Confirming with his UPI PIN.

On the 5th of every month, ₹16,200 is deducted automatically. Rahul receives an SMS with the payment confirmation and an updated loan statement via email.

He also set a reminder to check his account balance on the 3rd of each month to ensure sufficient funds. This eliminated the risk of missed payments, which could have impacted his credit score.

FAQs

Can I enable UPI Autopay without a smartphone?

No. UPI Autopay requires a smartphone with a UPI-enabled app and internet connectivity. There is no offline or USSD-based method to set up UPI mandates. If you don’t have a smartphone, consider using a family member’s device with your permission, or stick to traditional auto-debit via NACH.

Is UPI Autopay safe?

Yes, UPI Autopay is secure. It uses end-to-end encryption, requires UPI PIN authentication, and mandates are governed by NPCI regulations. Unlike sharing card details, UPI Autopay does not expose your bank account number or card information to merchants. Only your UPI ID is shared, and payments are initiated only after your explicit authorization.

Can I change the bank account linked to my UPI Autopay?

You cannot directly change the bank account for an active mandate. To switch accounts, you must first cancel the existing mandate and then set up a new one using your preferred bank account. Always ensure the new account has sufficient balance before enabling the new mandate.

What happens if I don’t have enough balance on the payment date?

If your account lacks sufficient funds, the payment will fail. The merchant may retry the payment on the next business day (depending on their policy), or they may suspend your service. You’ll receive an SMS or email notification about the failure. Ensure you maintain adequate balance or set up an auto-top-up feature if your bank offers it.

How long does a UPI Autopay mandate last?

Most UPI Autopay mandates last between 1 and 5 years, as chosen by the user during setup. Some services may default to 1 year. You’ll receive a reminder before expiry to renew or cancel. After expiry, the mandate expires automatically, and no further payments can be made.

Can I set up UPI Autopay for variable amounts?

Yes. UPI Autopay supports both fixed and variable amounts. For example, electricity bills vary monthly, and the system will deduct the exact amount billed. The mandate only authorizes the merchant to initiate payments up to a maximum limit you set (if applicable).

Can I disable UPI Autopay anytime?

Yes. You can cancel any UPI Autopay mandate anytime through your UPI app or bank’s net banking portal. No approval from the merchant is required. Once canceled, the merchant cannot initiate further payments.

Do I need to re-enable UPI Autopay after changing my mobile number?

If your UPI ID is tied to your mobile number (e.g., 9876543210@upi), changing your number will invalidate the UPI ID. You’ll need to create a new UPI ID with your new number and re-enable all mandates. Update your payment methods with each merchant to reflect the new UPI ID.

Are there any charges for using UPI Autopay?

No. NPCI does not charge users for setting up or using UPI Autopay. Banks and UPI apps also do not levy fees for this service. Merchants may charge service fees for their offerings, but the autopay mechanism itself is free.

What if I get a fraudulent mandate?

If you notice an unauthorized mandate, cancel it immediately through your UPI app. Then contact your bank’s fraud department via their official app or website. Most banks offer zero-liability protection for unauthorized UPI transactions if reported within 3 days.

Conclusion

Enabling UPI Autopay is one of the most impactful digital finance decisions you can make. It transforms the way you handle recurring payments—eliminating manual effort, reducing errors, and ensuring uninterrupted services. Whether you’re paying for utilities, subscriptions, or EMIs, UPI Autopay offers a secure, standardized, and user-controlled solution built into India’s most trusted payment infrastructure.

This guide has walked you through the complete process: from verifying your UPI ID to managing multiple mandates, from selecting trusted merchants to canceling unused authorizations. You’ve learned best practices to safeguard your finances, explored the tools that enhance control, and seen how real users benefit from automation.

Remember: UPI Autopay is a tool for empowerment, not dependency. Use it wisely. Review your mandates quarterly. Cancel what you no longer need. Monitor your transactions. Stay informed.

As digital payments continue to evolve, UPI Autopay will become even more integrated into daily life—from school fees to pet subscriptions. By mastering it now, you’re not just simplifying your finances—you’re future-proofing them.

Start today. Enable your first UPI Autopay. And experience the peace of mind that comes with knowing your bills are taken care of—automatically, securely, and effortlessly.