Amazon Pay has officially launched UPI Biometric Authentication, making it one of the first payment service providers in India to implement this technology. The feature allows users to authorize transactions using fingerprint or facial recognition, removing the requirement to manually enter a UPI PIN for certain payments.
Streamlining the Payment Process
The primary shift introduced by this update is the removal of the UPI PIN for transactions valued up to Rs. 5,000. By leveraging the native security hardware of a smartphone, the system treats a user’s biometric data as the secure key for verifying identity.
According to Amazon Pay, early data indicates a high level of consumer interest. Approximately 90% of customers involved in early adoption phases opted for biometric verification over traditional PIN entry for eligible peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers.
Key Features of the Rollout
The integration aims to reduce “transaction friction”—the small delays or hurdles users face during the checkout process. The core components of the launch include:
- Transaction Limit: Biometric authentication is applicable for transactions up to ₹5,000.
- Broad Integration: The feature is functional across various payment modes, including ‘Send Money’, ‘Scan & Pay’, and online merchant payments.
- Device-Bound Security: Unlike a PIN, which can be shared or shoulder-surfed, biometric data is tied specifically to the physical device, providing a localized layer of security.
- Accessibility: The update facilitates one-handed usage, designed to make payments faster for users on the go.
Availability
Currently, this feature is available exclusively to Android users. By transitioning toward a PIN-free experience, Amazon Pay is aligning digital payment protocols with modern smartphone habits, where biometrics are already standard for unlocking devices and banking apps.
Commenting on this, Girish Krishnan, Director of Payments, Amazon India, said:
Our goal has always been to make digital payments convenient and secure. With UPI Biometric Authentication, we’re removing one more layer of friction from everyday payments and making them 2X faster. The strong adoption we’re seeing reinforces that customers value speed, simplicity, and trust. The feedback so far has been deeply encouraging, particularly around how intuitive and fast this experience feels, and it motivates us to keep raising the bar on how India pays digitally.