Imagine yourself like this – you’re splitting dinner bills with friends, sending monthly allowances to your kids, or paying your yoga instructor—all through UPI apps. But typing UPI IDs or scanning QR codes every single time can feel like a chore. What if you could skip those steps and pay your frequent recipients in seconds? That’s where saving contacts and setting up favorite recipients comes in. This guide will show you how to streamline your UPI transactions, whether you’re managing household expenses, coordinating with colleagues, or helping family members stay financially connected. Let’s dive into the tools that make UPI apps work smarter for you.
Why Save Contacts and Favorites?
UPI apps have revolutionized how we handle money, but their real power lies in customization. By saving frequent recipients, you’re not just cutting down on repetitive steps—you’re building a personalized payment ecosystem. Think of it like speed dial for your finances:
For busy professionals, the ability to instantly reimburse coworkers or pay freelancers without hunting for UPI IDs is a game-changer. Picture this: You’re wrapping up a team lunch, and instead of scrambling to type in your colleague’s UPI handle while others wait, you tap a pre-saved contact and settle the bill in seconds. It’s not just about convenience—it’s about maintaining professionalism without the awkward pauses.
For parents, setting up allowances for children or caregivers with pre-approved limits offers peace of mind. Let’s say your teenager needs funds for a school trip. Instead of transferring money each day, you can assign a monthly cap through apps like Google Pay’s UPI Circle. This way, they learn financial responsibility while you retain oversight.
Similarly, if you’re managing payments for a home caregiver, features like transaction alerts ensure transparency without micromanaging.
For shared households, simplifying rent, utility splits, or grocery payments with one-tap access transforms chaotic money discussions into seamless routines. Imagine roommates or family members contributing their share of the internet bill with a single click instead of tracking down who paid what. Apps like PhonePe even let you create family groups, linking multiple users to a shared account—perfect for joint expenses.
It’s about turning a functional tool into something that adapts to your lifestyle.
Step-by-Step Guides for Top UPI Apps
Let’s break down how to save contacts and favorite payees on India’s most popular UPI apps.
1. Google Pay: Share Access Securely with UPI Circle
Google Pay’s UPI Circle lets you delegate payment access to trusted contacts—perfect for families or small businesses. This feature acts like a digital wallet for shared expenses, letting multiple users spend from a primary account without exposing sensitive details.
How to Add a Secondary User:
- Open the Google Pay app and tap your profile photo in the top-right corner. From the dropdown menu, select “UPI Circle”—a feature designed specifically for collaborative spending.
- Choose “Add Family or Friends” and either scan the recipient’s QR code or manually enter their UPI ID. This step ensures you’re inviting the right person, avoiding accidental transfers.
- Set permissions based on your relationship with the recipient. For instance:
- Spend with Limits: Ideal for students or dependents, this option lets you assign monthly caps (e.g., ₹5,000 for groceries or commuting).
- Approve Every Payment: A safer choice for caregivers or temporary helpers, requiring your explicit approval for each transaction.
- The recipient receives an invite via their app. Once they accept, they can initiate payments from your account without accessing your UPI PIN or bank details.
Pro Tip: Use UPI Circle to let a family member pay bills from your account while keeping your UPI PIN private. For example, if your sibling is managing household repairs while you’re traveling, they can pay contractors directly. All transactions appear in your statement, so you stay informed without manual oversight.
Setting Favorites:
- Tap “New Payment” on the Google Pay home screen, search for a contact, and long-press their name. Select “Add to Favorites” to pin them to the top of your payment list. Favorites sync across devices, so even if you switch phones, your go-to contacts remain accessible.
2. PhonePe: One-Tap Payments for Regulars
PhonePe’s Favorites feature is ideal for recurring payments like tutors, drivers, or subscription services. It’s like having a VIP list for your most frequent transactions.
Saving a Favorite:
- Open the PhonePe app and navigate to the “Contacts” tab. Here, you’ll see a list of everyone you’ve transacted with recently.
- Find the recipient you want to save—say, your child’s piano teacher—and tap the star icon next to their name. This action adds them to your “Frequent” section, visible right on the home screen.
- Need to pay multiple people at once? PhonePe’s batch payments let you select up to 10 favorites and send funds in one go—great for splitting festival bonuses among housekeeping staff.
For Shared Accounts:
- Create a “Family Group” under PhonePe’s settings to link multiple members to a single bank account. This works similarly to Google Pay’s UPI Circle but with added flexibility. For example, if you and your spouse share a joint account for household expenses, both of you can access it through your individual PhonePe profiles. Set spending alerts to receive notifications when a family member initiates a payment, ensuring everyone stays on the same page.
3. Paytm: Pin Your Top 5 Contacts
Paytm’s “Pin Contacts” feature ensures your most-used recipients are always a tap away. While it limits you to five pinned contacts, this constraint encourages thoughtful organization—perfect for prioritizing essentials.
How to Pin:
- Open Paytm and tap “To Mobile or Contact” under the UPI Money Transfer section.
- Scroll through your transaction history and long-press a contact—say, your monthly yoga instructor. Select “Pin” from the menu that appears.
- Pinned contacts automatically rise to the top of your list, bypassing the need to search through dozens of names.
Bonus: Paytm lets you label pinned contacts for better clarity. For example, instead of seeing “Ramesh – 98765XXXXX,” you can rename it to “Internet Bill – Ramesh.” This small tweak minimizes confusion, especially when paying service providers with common names.
Making UPI Work for Every Generation
Whether you’re tech-savvy or prefer simplicity, these features are designed for inclusivity:
Voice Commands: Apps like BHIM and SBI Yono support Hindi/English voice payments, letting you say, “Send ₹1,000 to Ramesh” instead of typing. This is particularly helpful for those who find typing cumbersome or want hands-free control while multitasking.
QR Code Shortcuts: Print a QR code linked to your UPI ID and stick it on your fridge or give it to home helpers. When your cook needs their monthly payment, they can simply scan the code with their phone, and you’ll receive a payment request. Approve it with your PIN, and you’re done—no need to exchange numbers or handles.
Approval Alerts: Enable notifications for when a pinned contact initiates a transaction. If you’ve delegated access to a family member, you’ll get an alert asking you to approve or decline the payment. This adds a layer of security for joint accounts, ensuring no unauthorized transfers slip through.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- “Is sharing my UPI ID with family safe?”
Yes, but only if you use built-in delegation features like UPI Circle or Family Groups. These tools let secondary users initiate payments without revealing their UPI PIN or bank account details. For example, a caregiver can pay the milkman from your account, but they can’t view your transaction history or modify settings. - “Can I set different limits for different contacts?”
Absolutely. Google Pay allows unique monthly caps for each secondary user. Suppose you want your college-going child to have a ₹10,000 limit for books and groceries but restrict a part-time driver to ₹2,000 for fuel—this granular control is possible. - “What if my favorite contact’s UPI ID changes?”
Apps automatically update details if the recipient’s phone number is saved in your contacts. For instance, if your tailor switches from Paytm to PhonePe but keeps the same number, your UPI app will detect the new ID linked to their number. - “How many favorites can I add?”
Most apps allow 5-10 pinned contacts. Paytm caps it at 5, while PhonePe has no fixed limit. Google Pay lets you star unlimited favorites, but only 10 appear on the home screen—scroll to see the rest. - “Are there charges for using these features?”
No. UPI services remain free whether you’re sending ₹10 to a friend or ₹10,000 to a vendor. However, always check with your bank for daily transaction limits, which vary between ₹1 lakh and ₹2 lakh.
Stay Ahead: Upcoming UPI Tweaks (February 2025)
NPCI’s new security rules take effect soon. To avoid disruptions:
- Update Apps: Older versions of UPI apps may stop working post-February 1. Head to the Play Store or App Store now to ensure you’re using the latest version.
- Simplify UPI IDs: If your ID includes special characters (e.g., “Riya#123”), change it to something simpler like “RiyaBank” to comply with new verification standards.
- Re-Link Accounts: Some banks, including SBI and HDFC, require users to re-authenticate their UPI handles. Keep an eye on in-app notifications for prompts.
Final Thought
UPI isn’t just a payment tool—it’s a way to declutter financial tasks so you can focus on what matters. By tailoring your app to recognize frequent recipients, you’re not just saving time; you’re crafting a payment experience that feels uniquely yours. Ready to make your next transaction? Your favorite contacts are waiting. 😊
