UPI AutoPay lets an app or merchant debit your account on a schedule, without you approving every payment. It is handy for subscriptions, EMIs and bills. It is also an easy way to keep paying for something you forgot about, so it pays to know how to view, pause and cancel a mandate.

Quick answer

  • Where to look: your UPI app’s Profile or Settings, under AutoPay, Mandates or Subscriptions.
  • Warning time: you get a notification 24 hours before each debit.
  • To stop one: pause or cancel it, then confirm with your UPI PIN.
  • PIN rule: payments up to ₹15,000 need your PIN only at setup.
  • Higher amounts: you approve each payment above ₹15,000 with your PIN.

How UPI AutoPay works

When you set up AutoPay, you approve a mandate once with your UPI PIN. The mandate names the merchant, the maximum amount and how often it can debit. After that, the merchant can collect payments on the due dates without asking you each time.

According to Google Pay’s help page, a recurring payment under ₹15,000 needs your UPI PIN only for the first time setup. For payments above ₹15,000, you must enter your PIN to approve each payment. The same page says insurance, mutual funds and credit card bills ask for the PIN only when the amount exceeds ₹1,00,000.

Also, you should receive an SMS or app notification 24 hours before a debit. That notice is your chance to act, so do not ignore it.

How to cancel a UPI AutoPay mandate

The menu names differ slightly between apps, but the steps are similar in Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm and BHIM.

  1. Open your UPI app and go to Profile or Settings.
  2. Find the AutoPay, Mandates or Subscriptions section.
  3. Select the mandate you want to stop.
  4. Choose Cancel or Revoke.
  5. Confirm with your UPI PIN.

Once a mandate is revoked, the merchant cannot debit your account under it. Google Pay’s page also notes that you can pause or cancel straight from the advance notification, using your UPI PIN.

Pause or cancel: which is better?

Pausing is useful when you want a break, for example while travelling or between billing cycles. Cancelling is better when you are done with the service. However, remember that cancelling in your UPI app may not close the account on the merchant’s side. So also check the service’s own settings.

Before you cancel an EMI or insurance mandate

This is where people get caught. If you cancel the AutoPay for a loan EMI or an insurance premium, the payment does not disappear. It simply will not be collected automatically, and a missed EMI can lead to charges.

So arrange another way to pay first, such as a manual UPI payment or net banking. Then cancel the mandate. Our explainer on the UPI Lite limit may also help if you prefer small, PIN free payments for everyday spending.

A quick monthly habit

Set a reminder to open your mandates list once a month. Look for names you do not recognise, free trials that have turned into paid plans and amounts that have crept up. If a mandate looks wrong, revoke it and contact the merchant.

If money was debited that you did not approve, also tell your bank quickly. Our guide to the UPI mobile number masking change explains another way your details are protected in UPI.

Limits to remember

  • Up to ₹15,000: PIN needed at setup only, then automatic debits.
  • Above ₹15,000: PIN needed for each payment.
  • Insurance, mutual funds and credit card bills: PIN needed only above ₹1,00,000, as per Google Pay’s help page.
  • Account closure: revoke live mandates before deleting your UPI ID or app account.

These limits can change, so check your app’s latest notice if something looks different.

FAQ

How do I stop a UPI AutoPay payment?

Open your UPI app and go to the AutoPay or Mandates section. Select the mandate, choose Cancel or Revoke and confirm with your UPI PIN. You can also act on the notification sent 24 hours before the debit.

Will I get a notice before UPI AutoPay debits my account?

Yes. You should get an SMS or app notification about 24 hours before the debit. It shows the merchant and the amount.

Can a merchant debit me after I revoke a mandate?

Not under that mandate. Once it is revoked, the merchant cannot collect payments through it. However, you may still owe the service, so settle dues another way.

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