BHIM App – What is it? How to use? Where to Download? Everything you should know

India Govt. has taken one more step, a huge one at that to promote cashless economy – the BHIM App. The BHIM app is India Govt. equivalent to PayTM and other mobile wallet apps but in a different, better and efficient way. In this article I dissect and review the BHIM app, and here is everything you need to know before and after using the app. Let’s go.

Where to Download BHIM App?

Android phone users can download BHIM App from here. iOS, Apple users can download from the App store.

What is BHIM App?

BHIM is a mobile wallet app launched by NPCI (National Payment Corporation of India) that enables anyone with a smartphone to make easy cashless transactions via their mobile phones to others.

BHIM App was launched by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which is an umbrella organization for all retail payments systems in India. It was set up with the guidance and support of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).

What does BHIM App do?

Using the BHIM App you can..

• Connect to your bank accounts and have funds ready from them to be paid to anyone.
• Do secure money transfers to anyone via your smartphone.
• Use your mobile number to send and receive money from others.
• Check your bank account balances without visiting the bank.
• Generate a QR code, that can be displayed, so others can scan it and send money to you.
• Send and receive up to Rs.10,000 in one transaction and Rs. 20,000 in 24 hours (limits)

List of banks that suppor BHIM App

At the moment, the following banks are supported can be connected to BHIM app via the UPI PIN code..

• Allahabad Bank
• Andhra Bank
• Axis Bank
• Bank of Baroda
• Bank of India
• Bank of Maharashtra
• Canara Bank
• Catholic Syrian Bank
• Central Bank of India
• DCB Bank
• Dena Bank
• Federal Bank
• HDFC Bank
• ICICI Bank
• IDBI Bank
• IDFC Bank
• Indian Bank
• Indian Overseas Bank
• IndusInd Bank
• Karnataka Bank
• Karur Vysya Bank
• Kotak Mahindra Bank
• Oriental Bank of Commerce
• Punjab National Bank
• RBL Bank
• South Indian Bank
• Standard Chartered Bank
• State Bank of India
• Syndicate Bank
• Union Bank of India
• United Bank of India and
• Vijaya Bank

How is BHIM App different from other mobile wallet apps?

There are plenty of mobile wallet apps in India. But, while using most of them, you have to enter or connect with your bank account each time, and using them can lead to glitches like one bank not allowing you to connect with the service etc. BHIM is a lot more easier than money wallet apps! You can easily make direct bank to bank transactions and instantly collect money using just your mobile number, QR code or payment address.

Are there any charges for using BHIM App?

No, there are no charges at all, for using BHIM app or for doing money transactions through it. However, banks may charge you a nominal amount for using their UPI or IMPS feature. Different banks have different charges.

Who can use BHIM app?

Anyone with a smartphone, basic internet access and an Indian bank account that supports UPI payments can start using the app by downloading it from the app store here (Android) and here (iOS).

Is BHIM the same as using mobile banking?

No, you don’t need mobile banking. Just connect your bank account with the app using UPI code.

How to connect my bank account with UPI code and BHIM App?

Setting up UPI PIN for your bank account in BHIM app is easy. Just go to Main Menu of BHIM App, choose -Bank Accounts -then choose, Set UPI-PIN for the selected account. You will be prompted to enter the last 6 digits of your Debit/ATM card along with the expiry date. You will then receive an OTP code which you will enter and set your UPI PIN. Note – ‘UPI-PIN is not the same as MPIN provided by your bank for mobile banking’.

How to send money to someone who doesn’t have BHIM app?

You can send money to anyone with a BHIM app and payment number. But if someone doesn’t have a smartphone and a BHIM app, you can still send money to them by using them bank’s IFSC code and account number from your BHIM app. They can get their IFSC code from their bank or searching online on this website.

BHIM Money transactions are failing – What to do?

Don’t panic. Sometimes due to operational issues, transaction failures occur. Here’s what you can do…
1) Please check and verify that the UPI-PIN is entered correctly.
2) If the receiver is not on Bharat Interface for Money choose to pay via IFSC instead of mobile number.
3) Wait for a few minutes. Check your pending transactions. When transaction is done, you will get a “Payment successful” SMS from your bank. The result will be seen on your “Transaction History “page along with a UTR# or bank reference number.

Problems with BHIM App

The app is pretty new (as of December 30th, 2016) and many users are only starting to use it. There are few problems as noted by early users however.

• Not being able to add more than one bank account – Currently only one bank account is allowed to be added via UPI to BHIM App. Those people with more than one bank account may find it annoying and limited.
• Transactions fail – Some users are reporting that several transactions have timed out and show as failed during peak hours. Hopefully this is a temporary glitch and will be rectified.
• Mobile number mismatch problems – Currently, you can use the BHIM app only if you link it with the same mobile number given in your bank account. This is a UPI requirement and can prove problematic is you want to use the app on a different number.

Summary

I think this is a great initiative by the India Govt. to push the idea of cashless transactions in India. Many western countries have already embraced this concept and it is high time India used it too. However, there are challenges to be faced. Like educating the rural population in India and equipping them with smartphones and basic internet. If those basic infrastructure problems can be met and people educated, India will no doubt, become a cashless economy soon!

Have you used the app yet? What did you learn? How was your experience? Let me know in comments.

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