Digital payments in India have taken a major leap forward with Paytm introducing a new feature that allows users to create a personalized UPI ID. This innovation enables users to hide their phone number or email address during transactions, giving them an added layer of security and privacy. Google Pay is also preparing to roll out the same feature, setting a new benchmark for privacy-focused digital transactions.
Table of Contents
What is a Personalized UPI ID?
A personalized UPI ID is a custom, alphanumeric digital identity that replaces your default phone number–based UPI ID. Instead of showing your real number or email in transactions, your payments will display a unique ID such as:
yourname@ptaxis
yourname@pthdfc
This move enhances user privacy and helps prevent spam, fraud, harassment, or unwanted contact from strangers who might otherwise get access to your personal number.
Industry experts are calling it a security upgrade that makes UPI more trustworthy as it continues to dominate India’s payment landscape.
Paytm’s Rollout and Supported Banks
Paytm was the first to launch this feature, initially supporting Yes Bank and Axis Bank accounts. Soon after, the company expanded the support to include HDFC Bank and State Bank of India (SBI) customers.
Once you create a personalized UPI ID on Paytm, it permanently replaces your default UPI ID (the one linked with your mobile number). This ensures that whenever you send or receive money, only your custom ID is visible to others.
Google Pay, on the other hand, has begun testing this feature internally. While it’s not yet available to all users, the rollout is expected in the coming months.
How to Create a Personal UPI ID on Paytm
Setting up your own custom UPI ID on Paytm is simple and quick. Follow these steps:
Open the Paytm app.
Tap the profile icon on the top left corner.
Select UPI & Payment Settings.
Tap View next to your UPI ID.
Under “Try a personal UPI ID,” tap the text box.
Type your desired ID or select from the suggested ones.
Tap Confirm.
Your new personalized UPI ID is now active and ready for use.
How Will Google Pay Users Access It?
Although Google Pay hasn’t enabled custom IDs for all users yet, the option will appear in your settings once the rollout is complete. Here’s where you’ll find it:
Open Google Pay.
Go to the Profile tab.
Select your bank account.
Tap Manage UPI ID.
From here, you’ll be able to create or manage your personal ID.
This feature is expected to work in the same way as Paytm, giving users a secure, non-phone-number-based identity for all UPI transactions.
Why This Feature Matters for Indian Users
With UPI transactions crossing ₹20 lakh crore every month, India has become the world’s largest real-time payments market. While this growth highlights convenience, it also raises privacy and security concerns.
By allowing personalized UPI IDs, apps like Paytm and soon Google Pay are:
Protecting user privacy by hiding phone numbers and emails.
Preventing spam and fraud, reducing risks of stalking or harassment.
Making transactions more professional, especially for freelancers, small businesses, and shop owners who prefer a clean, custom UPI identity.
Boosting trust in digital payments, encouraging even more users to shift away from cash.
Expert Insights
According to digital payment analysts, this step could soon become a standard across all UPI apps. Just as virtual account numbers protect credit card details in online shopping, personalized UPI IDs may become the default privacy measure in everyday digital payments.
Final Thoughts
The launch of personalized UPI IDs is a significant move toward making digital payments in India more secure and user-friendly. Paytm has already set the pace, and Google Pay is preparing to follow suit. With UPI becoming the backbone of India’s financial ecosystem, features like these show that security and privacy are now top priorities.
If you’re a Paytm user, you can set up your custom UPI ID today and enjoy a safer way to transact. For Google Pay users, the wait won’t be long before the option appears in your app as well.
Digital payments in India have never been more secure, private, and future-ready.
FAQ
What is a personalized UPI ID?
A personalized UPI ID is a custom alphanumeric ID that replaces your phone number–based UPI ID, protecting your privacy in digital payments.How to create a Paytm personalized UPI ID ?
Go to Paytm → Profile → UPI & Payment Settings → View UPI ID → Try a personal UPI ID → Choose or type your ID → Confirm.Which banks support personalized UPI ID on Paytm?
Currently supported banks include Yes Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, and SBI.Is personalized UPI ID available on Google Pay?
Not yet. Google Pay is testing the feature and will roll it out soon.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on details first reported by official sources and publicly available news, including Google News. We have adapted and rewritten the content for clarity, SEO optimization, and reader experience. All trademarks and images belong to their respective owners.
