The short answer
BHIM automatically creates a default VPA in the form mobilenumber@upi when you register. To add a
second, more private one: open BHIM, go to My Profile, add a new VPA for your linked account,
and then set it as your primary VPA from the same screen. BHIM supports two VPAs per user, so your original
number-based one stays available even after you switch.
Step by step in BHIM
BHIM's own FAQ describes this as a two-VPA limit, unlike apps such as Google Pay that allow several IDs per bank account — plan on one number-based ID and one custom one, not a longer list.
After you create it
What you can do next
- Share the new VPA once it's set as primary.
- Switch which VPA is primary again later from My Profile.
- Keep your default mobilenumber@upi ID as a fallback.
Worth knowing
- BHIM's limit is two VPAs, not several — choose your second wisely.
- Removing your only remaining VPA isn't the goal — keep at least one active.
- Your bank still uses your real number for OTPs and alerts.
Related UPI guides and tools
Sources and methodology
- BHIM UPI: Frequently Asked Questions — official FAQ describing the default VPA, the two-VPA limit, and switching your primary VPA.
- MediaNama: NPCI asks UPI apps to mask phone numbers, pushes username IDs — the masking directive this guide's "what happens to your old ID" answer relies on.
BHIM's official FAQ is the primary source for the two-VPA limit and the add/set-primary flow. It does not spell out exact button labels for every app version, so treat the step names above as the general path rather than a pixel-exact walkthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many UPI IDs (VPAs) can I have in BHIM?
BHIM's own FAQ states it allows two VPAs per user — your default mobile-number-based one, plus one additional VPA you add yourself.
Will my default mobilenumber@upi ID stop working if I add a second one?
No. BHIM's FAQ describes the default ID as staying active alongside a second VPA. NPCI's number-masking rule additionally means the number-based ID now shows only its last four digits to whoever you're paying, rather than being disabled.
How do I make my new VPA the one people see by default?
BHIM lets you choose which VPA is primary from the same profile screen where you add a VPA — select the new one and set it as primary so it's the ID shared for new payments.
Does BHIM let me pick any bank handle for the second VPA?
BHIM's second VPA is tied to whichever bank account you're adding it for, following the same VPA-creation flow used when you first set up the app — check the available handle options on your own add-VPA screen, since this can vary by linked bank.
Why would I bother with BHIM instead of PhonePe, Google Pay or Paytm?
BHIM is built and operated by NPCI itself rather than a private company, so some people prefer it specifically for that reason. Functionally, a VPA created in BHIM works the same as one from any other UPI app.