To create UPI ID in PhonePe, sign up with your bank-registered mobile number, link your bank account and set a UPI PIN. PhonePe creates your UPI ID automatically. If you want your own custom ID, go to Profile, then Manage Payments, then UPI Bank accounts, pick the account and tap the + sign under UPI IDs.
A custom ID is worth the extra minute. Default IDs are often based on your mobile number, and sharing them exposes the number. A name-based ID avoids that. This guide is for first-time PhonePe users and for existing users who want a cleaner ID; it covers setup, custom IDs, handles, limits, errors and safety.
Quick overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| First ID | Created automatically after linking a bank account |
| Custom ID path | Profile > Manage Payments > UPI Bank accounts > select bank > + under UPI IDs |
| Handles | @ybl, @ibl, @axl |
| UPI PIN setup | Debit card, or Aadhaar OTP if your bank supports it |
| Cost | Free |
Before you begin
- Use the SIM that has your bank-registered mobile number, in the same phone.
- Keep your debit card ready. If you have none, check whether the Aadhaar option shows for your bank; see create UPI ID without debit card.
- Update PhonePe to the latest version so menu names match.
- Have mobile data or Wi-Fi on; a dropped connection mid-setup is a common cause of errors.
How to create UPI ID in PhonePe (first time)
- Install PhonePe and enter your bank-registered mobile number.
- Verify with the OTP and allow SMS verification.
- Tap Add bank account and pick your bank.
- PhonePe finds the account linked to your number. Select it.
- Set your UPI PIN: enter the last 6 digits and expiry of your debit card and the bank OTP. Or choose Aadhaar if offered.
- Confirm the PIN.
Your UPI ID is now live. PhonePe may create IDs on more than one handle so payments do not fail if one bank server is down. To see them, follow our guide to know your UPI ID in PhonePe.
A real example
Priya Sharma links her ICICI account and PhonePe gives her 98xxxxxx10@ybl. She runs a small tuition class and does not want parents to have her number, so she opens UPI Bank accounts, taps + and types priya.s. PhonePe creates priya.s@ybl. She prints that ID on her fee receipts instead. Parents paying ₹1,500 a month see a name, not her phone number.
How to add a custom UPI ID in PhonePe
- Tap your profile picture or initials at the top left of the home screen.
- Tap Manage Payments.
- Under More options, tap UPI Bank accounts.
- Tap the bank account.
- Under UPI IDs, tap the + symbol.
- Type the ID you want and tap Create.
If the name is taken, PhonePe tells you. Add your surname or a number and try again. Menu labels can change between versions; if you cannot find them, look for UPI settings in the profile section.
Tips for a good custom ID
- Use letters and numbers, with at most one dot.
- Keep it short so people can type it from a receipt.
- Avoid your date of birth or full phone number.
PhonePe UPI handles
| Handle | Partner bank |
|---|---|
| @ybl | Yes Bank |
| @ibl | ICICI Bank |
| @axl | Axis Bank |
The handle is the bank that processes UPI for PhonePe. Your money still goes to your own linked account, whichever bank that is. Our explainer on YBL in UPI covers the @ybl handle in detail.
Why a custom ID matters after the 2026 rule
NPCI’s circular OC-234/2026-27, issued in June 2026, asked UPI apps to mask mobile numbers, UPI IDs and account numbers on customer screens and to let users create non-mobile UPI IDs and set them as default. The deadline was 4 September 2026. Masking hides your number on screens, but if your UPI ID itself is your phone number, anyone you give the ID to still has your number. Creating a name-based ID and using it as your main one fixes that.
| Point | Mobile-number ID | Name-based ID |
|---|---|---|
| Example | 98xxxxxx10@ybl | priya.s@ybl |
| Reveals your number when shared | Yes | No |
| Easy to read out | Harder | Easier |
| Fits NPCI 2026 default-ID push | No | Yes |
After you create UPI ID in PhonePe: limits
For normal person-to-person payments, the NPCI cap is ₹1 lakh per day, and your bank can set its own lower cap or count limit. New users or a new device may face a lower limit in the first 24 hours; the exact figure may vary by bank and app, so check in your app. For example, if you finish setup at 10 AM and try to send ₹40,000 at 11 AM, the payment may be declined on day one. Start with a small payment.
Common problems and fixes
- Bank account not found: the bank has another mobile number on record. Update it with your bank.
- SMS not sent: pick the correct SIM on dual-SIM phones and make sure SMS works.
- Card details rejected: use the debit card of the same account; it must be active.
- No + option under UPI IDs: you may have reached the app’s limit for that account, or the feature may vary by app version. Update the app.
- ID already taken: try another variation.
- Payment declined on day one: the first-24-hour limit may apply; try a smaller amount.
What to do if setup still fails
- Confirm the mobile number on your bank account at the branch or in net banking.
- Move that SIM to the slot PhonePe uses for SMS and restart the phone.
- Update PhonePe and try again after some time if you made many attempts.
- Contact PhonePe Help from the app with a screenshot of the error.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Printing a mobile-number ID on a shop QR stand or receipt.
- Creating a custom ID but still sharing the old one.
- Linking a relative’s account on your phone. For shared family use, PhonePe offers UPI Circle.
- Typing the ID from memory; copy it from the app instead.
Safety tips
- Never enter your UPI PIN to receive money.
- Do not install screen-sharing apps at a caller’s request.
- Check the payee name before every payment.
- Report fraud on 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in, and through PhonePe Help.
FAQs
Can I have more than one UPI ID in PhonePe?
Yes. PhonePe can hold IDs on different handles and you can add custom ones for each linked account.
Can I create a PhonePe UPI ID without a debit card?
Yes, if your bank supports Aadhaar OTP PIN setup. See create UPI ID without debit card.
Will my old ID stop working if I add a new one?
No. Older IDs keep working unless you delete them.
Can I use a PhonePe UPI ID in Google Pay?
No. Each app issues its own IDs. But anyone on any UPI app can pay to your PhonePe ID. For Google Pay, see create UPI ID in Google Pay.
Does @ybl mean my account is with Yes Bank?
No. It only shows the partner bank that processes UPI for PhonePe.
Can I delete a custom ID later?
Usually yes, from the same UPI Bank accounts screen. Options may vary by app version; check in your app.
Is there a fee?
No. Creating a PhonePe UPI ID is free.
Conclusion
Linking your bank lets you create UPI ID in PhonePe in minutes. Take one more step and add a name-based ID so you do not hand out your mobile number. Browse all our UPI guides for limits, PIN help and other apps.
Sources: PhonePe, PhonePe Aadhaar UPI press release, Moneyview PhonePe UPI ID guide, NPCI circular summary (June 2026).
This guide is for general information only. Limits and features can change; check your bank or UPI app for the latest details. FIIAndDIIData.com is not affiliated with NPCI or any UPI app.
