MMID stands for Mobile Money Identifier, a unique 7-digit code assigned to a bank account that allows you to send and receive money through your mobile phone. It works as part of India’s IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) system, letting you transfer funds instantly using just a recipient’s mobile number and their MMID instead of their full bank account number and IFSC code.
How MMID Works
Every bank account can have its own MMID. The 7-digit code is tied to both your bank account and your registered mobile number, creating a shorthand that identifies where money should go. When someone sends you funds through IMPS using your MMID, the system matches that code to your bank account and deposits the money directly.
This means neither the sender nor the receiver needs to share sensitive details like account numbers. The sender only needs two pieces of information: your mobile number and your MMID. Transfers happen in real time, including on weekends and bank holidays, since IMPS operates 24/7.
How to Generate Your MMID
You can get your MMID through three common channels:
- Mobile banking app: Log in to your bank’s app, navigate to the IMPS or mobile banking section, and select the option to generate an MMID. The code will be sent to your registered mobile number or email.
- Net banking: Log in to your bank’s online portal, go to account services, and request your MMID from there.
- SMS banking: Send a designated text message to your bank’s SMS banking number. The bank will reply with your MMID via SMS.
The exact menu labels and SMS format vary by bank, but the process is similar across most institutions. Once generated, your MMID stays the same unless you request a new one.
How to Send Money Using MMID
To transfer funds to someone using their MMID, follow this general process:
- Log in to your mobile banking app or net banking portal.
- Select “Fund Transfer” and then choose “IMPS” as the transfer method.
- Enter the beneficiary’s MMID and their registered mobile number.
- Enter the amount you want to send.
- Authenticate the transaction with your MPIN (a mobile banking PIN) or an OTP sent to your phone.
The money reaches the recipient’s account within seconds. Both sender and receiver get SMS confirmations with the transaction details.
Transaction Limits and Fees
IMPS transactions made using MMID typically have a daily cap of ₹5,000 per customer ID, whether you initiate them through net banking or mobile banking. This is considerably lower than the limits for standard IMPS transfers made using account numbers, which can go up to ₹5 lakh at many banks.
Fees are generally modest. As a reference point, one major bank charges ₹2.50 plus GST for transfers up to ₹1,000, ₹5 plus GST for transfers between ₹1,000 and ₹1 lakh, and ₹15 plus GST above ₹1 lakh. Your bank’s charges may differ slightly, and some banks waive fees for smaller amounts or certain account types.
MMID and UPI Are Not the Same
MMID and UPI both let you send money instantly, but they run on different systems. MMID works through IMPS and requires the recipient’s mobile number plus their 7-digit MMID code. UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is a newer, separate platform where you can send money using a UPI ID (like yourname@bankname), a QR code, or a mobile number linked to UPI.
UPI has largely overtaken MMID in everyday use because it doesn’t require you to know or share a separate code. You can pay merchants, split bills, and handle recurring payments directly within UPI apps. MMID remains useful in situations where UPI isn’t available, such as on basic feature phones that support SMS banking but can’t run smartphone apps. If your phone can handle a UPI app, you’ll likely find UPI faster and more convenient for daily transactions. But if you need a lightweight way to transfer small amounts without a smartphone, MMID still fills that gap.