Amazon Pay has announced a major update for users in India by enabling biometric authentication for UPI payments, allowing transactions without entering a UPI PIN. With this new feature, users can now complete UPI payments and money transfers using fingerprint or facial recognition, significantly improving both security and convenience.
According to the company, biometric authentication replaces the need to type a UPI PIN for eligible transactions, reducing the risk of fraud if a PIN is compromised. The feature is designed to make payments faster while ensuring stronger protection through device-level biometric verification.
How Amazon Pay Biometric UPI Payments Work
With the new update, Amazon Pay users can authorise UPI transactions using fingerprint or face recognition instead of a PIN. This applies to multiple payment use cases, including:
- Sending money to another individual
- Scan & Pay at offline stores
- Merchant payments
- Checking bank account balance
- Purchasing products on Amazon’s e-commerce platform
Amazon stated that biometric data acts as a secure authentication key, ensuring that only the authorised user can approve transactions.
Transaction Limit for Biometric Payments
While the feature improves ease of use, Amazon Pay has introduced a transaction cap for added security.
- Biometric authentication limit: Up to ₹5,000 per transaction
- Above ₹5,000: Users must still enter their UPI PIN
This ensures that high-value transactions continue to follow stricter authentication protocols.
Why This Update Matters
Previously, if a malicious actor gained access to a user’s UPI PIN, transactions could be carried out without the user’s knowledge. With biometric verification, such risks are significantly reduced, as payments now require physical presence and biometric confirmation.
Amazon claims the feature enables:
- Faster transactions with one-handed use
- Enhanced security through biometric validation
- Seamless integration across Send Money, Scan & Pay, and Merchant Payments
Amazon Pay Joins the Biometric UPI Ecosystem
Amazon Pay is not the first platform to roll out biometric authentication for UPI payments in India. Other players have introduced similar features earlier:
- Navi UPI launched biometric UPI authentication in October, claiming to be the first to eliminate PIN entry using face and fingerprint verification.
- The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) later introduced biometric and wearable glass-based authentication for UPI transactions.
- Samsung Wallet also rolled out biometric UPI authentication toward the end of October, adding to the growing list of secure payment options.
Quick Reference Summary
| Feature | Details |
| App | Amazon Pay |
| Authentication Type | Fingerprint & Face Recognition |
| UPI PIN Required | No (for transactions up to ₹5,000) |
| Transaction Limit | ₹5,000 |
| Above Limit | UPI PIN mandatory |
| Use Cases | Send Money, Scan & Pay, Merchant Payments, Amazon purchases |
| Country | India |
Benefits for Users
- Reduced dependence on remembering or typing UPI PINs
- Improved fraud prevention
- Faster checkout and payments
- Enhanced usability for daily, low-value transactions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| Does Amazon Pay still require a UPI PIN? |
| No PIN is required for transactions up to ₹5,000 when using biometric authentication. |
| What biometric methods are supported? |
| Fingerprint and facial recognition. |
| What is the transaction limit for biometric UPI payments? |
| ₹5,000 per transaction. |
| Can biometric authentication be used for all payments? |
| Yes, for Send Money, Scan & Pay, merchant payments, balance checks, and Amazon purchases within the limit. |
| Is Amazon Pay the first app to offer biometric UPI payments? |
| No, Navi UPI and NPCI-backed solutions introduced similar features earlier. |
| Is biometric authentication more secure than a PIN? |
| Yes, it reduces the risk of unauthorised access if a PIN is compromised. |
| Will this feature work on all phones? |
| It requires a device that supports fingerprint or face authentication. |
| Are high-value transactions allowed via biometrics? |
| No, transactions above ₹5,000 still require UPI PIN entry. |
The introduction of biometric authentication for UPI payments on Amazon Pay marks another step toward secure, frictionless digital payments in India. By eliminating the need for PIN entry for everyday transactions, Amazon Pay aims to enhance user safety and convenience while aligning with broader UPI innovation trends. Users are advised to keep their app updated and enable biometric permissions on supported devices. For further updates, visit the official Amazon Pay platform and bookmark this page for the latest fintech developments.
