How to Find Your UPI ID on Popular Payment Apps?

  • Posted byby Nikita Ekka
  • 4 minute read

For customers, the UPI ID is the fastest way to receive money without sharing bank details. For merchants, it supports smoother collections, faster reconciliation, and fewer checkout drop-offs when customers prefer QR and UPI over cards. This guide breaks down the UPI ID meaning and shows where to find it across popular apps.

What Is a UPI ID?

A UPI ID is a Virtual Payment Address (VPA). It is a simple identifier that links to a bank account without revealing sensitive details like account number or IFSC. Think of it as a payment address that makes UPI transfers easy to send and receive.

For customers, a UPI ID keeps payments quick and private. For businesses, it helps accept payments instantly via QR and app-based checkout. It also improves payment convenience for repeat buyers, especially in high-frequency categories where speed matters.

UPI Growth & Latest Stats

The growth of UPI is one of the clearest signals of how customers want to pay today. In January 2026, UPI recorded around 21.7 billion transactions worth about ₹28.33 lakh crore, with 691 banks live on UPI.

For merchants, this matters for two reasons:

  1. UPI has become the mainstream choice at checkout, especially for users accessing via mobile-first shopping journeys.
  2. QR-based payments, payment links and app-led transfers reduce friction, especially for small-ticket orders and repeat purchases.

As more businesses move online, UPI payment gateway integration becomes the practical way to accept UPI alongside cards and other methods, and keep payment operations under one flow.

How to Check Your UPI ID in Popular Apps? A Step-by-Step Guide

Different apps place the UPI ID in slightly different menus, but it is usually found under profile, bank accounts, or UPI settings. Follow these steps to look for the UPI ID on common platforms.

1. Google Pay (GPay)

  • Open Google Pay.
  • Tap the profile photo.
  • Tap Bank account.
  • Select the bank account.
  • Tap Manage UPI IDs to view the linked UPI ID.

2. PhonePe

  • Open PhonePe and tap the Profile icon.
  • Go to Bank Accounts or UPI settings.
  • Select the linked bank account to view the PhonePe UPI ID associated with it.

3. Paytm

  • Open Paytm.
  • Tap the profile icon.
  • Select UPI & Payment Settings.
  • Tap the UPI ID section to view your UPI ID.

4. BHIM

  • Open the BHIM app and log in.
  • Tap Profile (or the profile icon).
  • Your UPI ID is shown along with the QR code.

5. Mobikwik

  • Open the Mobikwik app.
  • Go to the UPI section or tap your linked bank account.
  • The UPI ID is shown in the format mobilenumber@ikwik (often visible at the top right or within the selected bank account details).

How to Create a UPI ID?

Creating a UPI ID is usually part of the UPI setup inside any payment app. The steps are similar across platforms.

  1. Install a UPI-enabled app like Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM, or Mobikwik.
  2. Register using the mobile number linked to the bank account.
  3. Select the bank and verify the account (the app detects eligible accounts automatically).
  4. Set a UPI PIN (this is required to approve UPI payments).
  5. The app generates a default UPI ID or VPA, and most apps also allow creating an additional UPI ID.

Once set up, the UPI ID can be used to receive money, send money, and make online payments without sharing bank account details.

Why Merchants Should Start Accepting UPI Payments?

For many shoppers, UPI is now the first choice at checkout. When a business supports UPI, it removes friction at the payment stage and improves completion, especially on mobile.

1. Higher checkout completion

Customers tend to trust UPI flows because they are fast and familiar. This helps reduce last-minute drop-offs during online payments.

2. Faster collections and simpler reconciliation

UPI payments are near real-time and provide a clear view of settlements, making daily tracking easy, especially when high-volume sellers are involved.

3. Lower dependence on cards

Not every customer prefers cards or netbanking. UPI gives an alternative that works well for both low and mid-ticket orders.

4. Works across channels

UPI can be accepted in-store via QR, on WhatsApp via links, and on an ecommerce website at checkout, which supports a consistent payment experience.

5. Easier to scale with a single integration

With the right setup, merchants can enable UPI alongside other methods through one integration. For example, a UPI payment gateway can help businesses offer UPI as part of a broader checkout stack without managing multiple systems.

FAQs

  1. What is a UPI ID?
    A UPI ID is a VPA (Virtual Payment Address) linked to a bank account, used to send and receive money without sharing account details.
  2. Is UPI ID and UPI number the same?
    Not exactly. A UPI ID is the VPA (like name@bank), while the mobile number is only used for registration and verification in most UPI apps.
  3. Can a person have multiple UPI IDs?
    Yes. Most apps allow creating more than one UPI ID for the same bank account.
  4. Can a UPI ID be changed?
    In many apps, a new UPI ID can be created and the older one can be disabled, depending on the app and bank.
  5. What if the UPI ID is not visible in the app?
    Check UPI settings or the linked bank account section, and ensure the bank account is active and the mobile number matches the bank record.
  6. Is it safe to share a UPI ID?
    Yes. Sharing a UPI ID is generally safe for receiving money, but the UPI PIN should never be shared with anyone.
  7. Can a merchant accept UPI on an ecommerce website?
    Yes. Merchants can accept UPI at checkout using a payment provider or a UPI payment gateway, alongside other payment methods.
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