ICICI Bank Rolls Out Biometric Authentication for UPI Payments on iMobile App

Mumbai: In a move to streamline digital payments, ICICI Bank has rolled out biometric authentication capabilities for UPI transactions via iMobile, its mobile banking platform. The new functionality permits users to complete transactions of up to ₹5,000 through fingerprint scanning or facial recognition, eliminating the requirement to input a UPI PIN for payments below this amount.

The addition of biometric verification offers customers both convenience and heightened security. By removing the necessity to enter payment credentials manually, the feature mitigates the vulnerability to shoulder-surfing—a common security risk in crowded public settings. Through biometric authorisation, customers can execute various payment types, including person-to-person transfers, QR code scanning for retail purchases, and online shopping transactions. Any transaction exceeding ₹5,000 will continue to require the conventional UPI PIN authentication.

An ICICI Bank official commented on the development: "Customer protection has remained fundamental to our approach, and we remain committed to delivering cutting-edge digital banking solutions. The rollout of biometric authentication aligns with current regulatory requirements and represents progress toward creating safer and more user-friendly payment systems. Through device-based biometric verification integrated into iMobile, we are strengthening the security framework while maintaining operational simplicity. Our customers retain the ability to select their preferred authentication method—whether PIN-based or biometric—depending on their needs and comfort level."

The capability is accessible on current versions of the iMobile application: Android version 30 and iOS version 28.2. Android device holders will utilise fingerprint authentication, while iOS users will employ facial recognition technology.

Activating biometric authentication on iMobile involves a straightforward process. Users should log into the application, navigate to UPI payments and access UPI settings, designate the account for which biometric authentication will be enabled, select the option to use biometric for payments, enter their existing UPI PIN for verification purposes, and complete device-level biometric authentication.