How to Create a UPI App in Android using Jetpack Compose (Complete Guide)
Are you ready to build your very own UPI payment application for Android using modern UI tools? If yes, this guide is for you. In this blog, we will explore how to build a UPI-enabled app using Jetpack Compose, Google's latest and recommended toolkit for building native UI. We’ll walk you through everything from setting up the project to deploying the app with a smooth user experience.
In today’s digital world, mobile payments have become the norm. Whether you're ordering food, paying bills, or sending money to friends, apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm make it incredibly easy. All of these rely on a common system—UPI (Unified Payments Interface). Wouldn’t it be cool to create your own UPI-enabled app? Let’s dive in!
Understanding UPI: A Quick Overview
Unified Payments Interface, or UPI, is a real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). It allows users to instantly transfer money between bank accounts through their mobile phones. UPI is interoperable, meaning one UPI app can send money to another, even if it’s developed by a different provider. This seamless connectivity is what makes UPI so powerful and widely adopted.
UPI uses virtual payment addresses (VPAs), commonly referred to as UPI IDs, to identify users. This eliminates the need to enter lengthy bank account details every time you want to make a transaction.
Why Jetpack Compose?
Jetpack Compose is a modern toolkit for building native Android UIs using a declarative approach. Instead of manipulating UI elements imperatively, you describe the UI in terms of data state, and Compose automatically updates the UI when the data changes. This leads to cleaner, more maintainable code.
- It reduces boilerplate code.
- It integrates seamlessly with other Jetpack libraries.
- It’s Kotlin-based, making it a perfect match for modern Android development.
- It has built-in support for Material Design 3 components.
How UPI Payment Works with Intents
Android provides a simple way to integrate UPI functionality into your app using implicit Intents. When the user clicks on the payment button, you create an Intent with the payment details and open it using `startActivityForResult`. The user is then taken to a UPI-enabled app of their choice to complete the transaction.
Project Structure and Setup
Before we jump into code, let’s outline the architecture and flow:
- ViewModel: To handle state and business logic
- Composable Screens: For user input and displaying status
- Intent Handling: To launch UPI apps and capture the response
Ensure your project is using Kotlin and Jetpack Compose with minimum SDK 21 or higher. Also, test the app on a real device, since emulators don't support UPI app functionality.
Designing a Simple Yet Functional UI
The UI of your UPI app should be clean and intuitive. Users should be able to enter the recipient name, UPI ID, and amount quickly. A simple form with input fields and a button will suffice. Use Material Design components from Compose for a modern look and feel.
Launching the UPI Payment Intent
Now, here’s where the magic happens. By using Android’s Intent system, we create a deep link with UPI parameters like payee address, name, amount, and currency. This link is passed to a UPI app like BHIM or Paytm which completes the payment process. Once done, the response is passed back to your app via `onActivityResult` or the modern `ActivityResultLauncher` API.
Handling Success and Failure Gracefully
It’s important to handle different responses from the UPI apps. Sometimes the user may cancel the transaction, or it may fail due to network issues. Make sure your app gracefully informs the user about the status, using snackbars or dialog messages.
Testing Your App
Always test your app with multiple UPI apps like Google Pay, Paytm, PhonePe, and BHIM. Each app might return slightly different responses, so thorough testing is crucial. Also, never hard-code sensitive details. Let the user input them or pull them securely from your backend if needed.
Advanced Features You Can Add
- QR Code Scanner for UPI
- Transaction History
- Dark Mode support
- Authentication using biometrics
Security Considerations
While UPI apps handle the actual transaction securely, your app should also follow good security practices. Don’t log sensitive info, use HTTPS for all communications, and regularly update your app dependencies.
Conclusion
Creating a UPI app using Jetpack Compose is not just possible—it’s also efficient and fun. You’ve learned how UPI works, how to use Intents, and how Jetpack Compose simplifies UI development. Now, you can continue improving your app by adding more features, polishing the design, and optimizing the user experience.
If you liked this tutorial and want to see the full source code or a video walkthrough, leave a comment or connect with us on social media!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I publish a UPI app on the Play Store?
Yes, but your app must follow Google's policies. If it processes financial transactions, additional scrutiny may be applied. Make sure your app uses UPI intents properly and doesn’t store sensitive data.
Which UPI apps are supported with this method?
Most major apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM, and Amazon Pay support UPI Intents. Always test your integration with all these apps before release.
Is Jetpack Compose better than XML for Android UI?
Yes. Jetpack Compose reduces boilerplate, improves productivity, and is the future of Android UI development. It is especially useful for small, fast-moving teams and solo developers.
Can I add QR code payments in a UPI app?
Absolutely. You can integrate libraries like ML Kit or ZXing to scan UPI QR codes and launch payments using the extracted UPI ID and amount.
Do you want to create UPI App like Phonepe Google Pay using Jetpack Compose
Posted by Coding Bihar | Android & Jetpack Compose Tutorials