Synopsis- UPI users in India now have a major upgrade with new personalized UPI IDs on Paytm and GPay (Google Pay) which allows for more privacy, safety, and usability in digital purchases. Rather than requiring users to either use some autogenerated random string or their mobile number, the new personalized UPI IDs provide users with a set of options that are unique to them.
Paytm and GPay has rolled out personalized UPI IDs, letting users hide their mobile numbers and choose unique handles for safer transactions.
- Personalized UPI ID launched: users can now create their personalized UPI IDs example: yourname@paytm or john.doe@gpay and no longer rely on using mobile numbers or autogenerated codes
- Why it Matters: It promotes privacy, i.e., in this new world of IDs it makes it much harder for a scammer to be able to exploit your phone number or personally identifiable information.
- How does it work: Paytm and Google Pay allow you to select a personalized UPI ID from among a new menu of personalized UPI IDs to use, it feels as easy as an email address.
How to Create your Personalized UPI ID:
1. On Paytm:
- Open the application and click on the profile icon.
- Scroll down to look for either ‘UPI & Payment Settings’ or ‘Manage UPI ID’.
- You will see some suggested handles which could be chosen, such as name@ptaxis, yourbusiness@ptyes, etc.
- Choose one that you like and select ‘Make Primary’. Once you confirm, this will be your new payment ID.
- You will also have your old autogenerated ID available as a fallback to send money and recover your account.
2. For GPay:
- The steps should remain the same. Open the application and you should be able to click on ‘Settings’ from your profile or UPI settings and create or choose a custom handle that is easy to remember.
- More app options are also being rolled out, so you should be able to create this in different apps soon.
What are the Benefits of Having a Personalized UPI ID?
- Greater Privacy: There is no longer a need to share your phone number when paying or receiving money; your UPI ID serves as your digital payment identity.
- Easy to Remember: A personalized handle (for instance dia.cafe@ptaxis or amit@gpay), serves as an email payment address, and is easier to type, share, or remember.
- Professionalism: If you have a business or you are a freelancer, you can create a business-related handle (for example prema.boutique@paytm) to appear more professional and further build trust with your clients.
- Safer payments: Since no personal information has to be shared, you lower your chances of being phished or scammed based on your number extremely helpful given the current rise in digital fraud.
- Multiple UPI IDs: You can utilize multiple UPI IDs (for work, hobbies, etc.) that are all connected to your current bank account and switch ID’s like you do bank cards!
Why is this News so Important?
- Security and trust is a major priority as India’s digital transactions crossed the ₹1,000 crore mark a month in 2025. Privacy will be a top priority along with user’s confidence in transactions.
- Regulatory push: As the regulator (RBI) and governing body (NPCI) puts focus on user safety, UPI apps are tightening up control on payment requests and data sharing as consumers see new rules by October 2025.
- Convenience for all: Whether you are a small business, gig worker, student or everyday person, this can mean that you will no longer have to remember long numeric codes to split a lunch bill, shopping or accepting payment.
A quick example of a user
Let’s say I have a bakery called “Priya Cakes.” I would like to set my UPI ID to priya.cakes@ptides on Paytm. When anyone pays me, your customer will now see this simple ID which increases trust and hides my phone. This is the phone experience, but the same applies for anyone and will just be a normal and easier experience for payments really. I can see my students using rahul.writer@ptaxis or anything and just accept it as normal for their daily payments.
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What Is New in the World of UPI?
- Backup Handles: Your default autogenerated UPI ID is still valid so payments never fail.
- Other Features: They’ve also released the ability to hide/unhide payment history, instant cost summaries, ‘Pay’ and ‘Receive’ widgets, and QR scanning experience.
- International Expansion: The personalized UPI IDs can be used for payments in supported countries (UAE, Singapore, France, etc.), which makes cross border payment smarter and safer.
How to Set Up Your Personalized UPI ID
- Step 1- Download or update the latest Paytm or GPay app.
- Step 2- Access profile/settings → UPI/Payment Settings.
- Step 3- Select suggested UPI handles, or type in your choice. Confirm and set primary.
- Step 4- Now share your new ID for all incoming payments – this means you can get paid from clients just by sharing your new UPI ID and not necessarily have to give your mobile number anymore.
Conclusion
So, what does this all mean? With personalized UPI ID’s now released on Paytm and GPay, relying on digital payments in India has become as secure, private, and seamless as possible. It empowers the consumer to control their personal and financial data, increases professional legitimacy, and enhances transaction experiences in a rapidly changing fintech space. As personalized handles become commonplace, expect the proliferation of digital payments with increased consumer confidence – treating every UPI transfer like sending an email.
Written By Rachna Rajput
