How to Set Up Free Voice Announcements for UPI Payments

Loud payment confirmations (voice alerts) are crucial for retail shopkeepers. They allow cashiers to verify payments instantly without interrupting their workflow or manually checking bank statements on their screens.

While devices like Paytm Soundbox cost ₹100+ in monthly rentals, you can set up free voice announcements using your own smartphone. Here is how.

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Method 1: Using the PhonePe Business App (Free)

PhonePe provides a free built-in audio notification feature inside their merchant app:

1. Open the PhonePe Business app on your Android or iPhone device.
2. Tap on your Profile Menu at the top-left corner.
3. Select Settings and tap on Voice Alerts or Audio Notifications.
4. Toggle the switch to Enable Voice Alerts.
5. Select your preferred language (English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, etc.).

Keep the phone volume loud and leave the app running in the background. Every time a customer pays scanning your PhonePe QR, your phone speaker will announce the payment value.

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Method 2: Google Pay for Business Voice Alerts (Free)

Similar to PhonePe, Google Pay for Business offers free voice confirmations:

1. Launch the Google Pay for Business app.
2. Go to Settings and tap on Notifications.
3. Enable Voice Notifications and select your language.
4. GPay will play a test alert (e.g., “₹50 received on Google Pay”) to confirm the volume is set correctly.

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Cons of Smartphone Voice Alerts

While using your smartphone is free, it has minor drawbacks:

• The phone must remain at the shop counter, which is difficult if the owner leaves the shop.
• Battery drains faster because the app runs in the background.

For shop owners who are always present at the counter, this free method is a perfect replacement for paid hardware soundboxes.