What Is UPI Intent Flow? How It Works and Why It Matters for Merchants Selling in India
If you're selling software, subscriptions, or digital goods to customers in India, chances are your buyers are already familiar with UPI (Unified Payments Interface). It now accounts for around 85% of the country's retail digital transactions making it a payment experience international merchants can’t afford to overlook.
UPI has fundamentally changed how consumers pay online in India. But supporting UPI isn't just about adding it to your checkout. The way a customer moves from selecting a payment method to completing a transaction can be just as important.
That's where UPI Intent Flow comes in. Rather than asking customers to manually enter payment details or navigate between different interfaces, it connects the checkout directly with their preferred UPI app, with key transaction details already populated.
For businesses entering India, however, localizing the payment experience is only part of the equation. Local integrations, customer expectations and market-specific requirements all play a role in building a payment experience that works across borders. Understanding these differences is a key part of developing an effective global payment strategy, particularly when entering markets where local payment methods play a central role in online commerce.
Nexway has navigated these challenges alongside software businesses expanding across Asia, including ESET, with a tailored integration that has supported the partnership since 2018.
So, what exactly is UPI Intent? How does it work, and what makes it different from other UPI payment methods?
UPI Intent Flow, at a glance
One scan. One app. A simpler payment journey.
UPI Intent Flow reduces manual steps between checkout and payment authorization. Instead of entering a VPA or UPI ID, customers scan a QR code and are redirected to their banking application to approve the transaction.
UPI Intent Flow reduces manual steps between checkout and payment authorization. Instead of entering a VPA or UPI ID, customers scan a QR code and are redirected to their banking application to approve the transaction.
Annual UPI Volume
2019
2025
UPI has gone from a niche transfer tool to the default way India pays. The trajectory has been steep, and it hasn't plateaued - 2025 alone accounts for nearly as much volume as the previous three years combined.
85%
of retail digital payments in india
228B+
UPI transactions in 2025
~50%
of global real-time payments
The Flow
Five steps, no manual entry
Select UPI
Choose UPI at checkout
Choose UPI at checkout
Scan
Scan the QR code instead of entering a VPA or UPI ID.
Scan the QR code instead of entering a VPA or UPI ID.
Approve
Get redirected to your bank application and authorize the payment.
Get redirected to your bank application and authorize the payment.
Confirm
The transaction is processed and the order is confirmed.
The transaction is processed and the order is confirmed.
Renew
For recurring payments, the approved transaction can set up a mandate for future renewal payments.
For recurring payments, the approved transaction can set up a mandate for future renewal payments.
Intent VS. Traditional UPI flow
Fewer manual steps. A more direct journey.
Traditional UPI flow:
1. UPI ID
2.Bank selection
3. Notification
4. UPI app
5. Authorization
1. UPI ID
2. Bank selection
3. Notification
4. UPI app
5. Authorization
Intent Flow:
1. QR scan
2. Bank app
3. Authorization
The difference is simple: less manual entry between the checkout and the customer's banking application.
Recurring Payments
The first payment can set up what's next
For subscription businesses, the initial payment is only the beginning.
Once the customer approves the transaction, a mandate can be set up for the renewal transaction, supporting a recurring payment journey.
Once the customer approves the transaction, a mandate can be set up for the renewal transaction, supporting a recurring payment journey.
First payment
Authorization
Mandate
Future renewal
Once Endusers Scan the code, they will be automatically redirected to this Bank application :
Once they approve, the transaction is accepted, and the mandate is set up for the renewal transaction.
All the process takes approx 3 clicks.
Security
Two things, not one
Every UPI payment needs a device already linked to the customer's bank account and a PIN only they know. Neither one alone is enough to move money - which is also why merchants never touch either.
Every UPI payment needs a device already linked to the customer's bank account and a PIN only they know. Neither one alone is enough to move money - which is also why merchants never touch either.
Who it fits
Particularly relevant for digital businesses
For digital businesses expanding into India, UPI is one example of why offering locally preferred payment methods can be an important part of the international checkout experience.
For digital businesses expanding into India, UPI is one example of why offering locally preferred payment methods can be an important part of the international checkout experience.
SaaS & subscriptions
A smooth first payment matters more when it starts a recurring relationship
Digital goods & software
Instant delivery pairs naturally with an instant payment confirmation
Mobile-first audiences
Most UPI users pay from a phone — Intent is built for that context specifically.
Who handles what
Adding UPI shouldn't mean rebuilding your checkout stack or taking on compliance risk in a market you don't know.
As Merchant of Record, Nexway sits between your product and every local payment rail - India included
As Merchant of Record, Nexway sits between your product and every local payment rail - India included
You
Nexway, as Merchant of Record
Build the product
Local payment methods, including UPI
Set pricing & plans
Tax & compliance
Own the customer relationship
Fraud & risk management
Focus on your customers
Payment operations & reconciliation
One contract, one integration
Nexway sits between your product and every local payment rail, India included.
Ready to offer UPI - and everything else your customers expect?
Ready to offer UPI - and everything else your customers expect?
