SBI to Retire mCASH from December 1, 2025 — What Customers Have to Know
The State Bank of India will retire its mCASH payment service on and after November 30, 2025. This affects customers who used mCASH’s link-based transfers and claims, and understanding what changes and how to adapt will minimize disruption to everyday payments.
What Was mCASH?
mCASH enabled customers to send money without adding beneficiaries—using only the recipient’s mobile number or email address. A secure link and an 8-digit passcode were sent to the receiver to claim the money in their bank account.
It was a convenient option for quick and ad-hoc transfers without beneficiary setup.
Why Is SBI Phasing Out mCASH?
SBI states that with the evolution of digital payments, new systems like UPI, IMPS, NEFT, and RTGS provide faster, more secure, and widely accepted transfer options.
mCASH was built on an older framework with limited security and no modern interoperability updates.
So SBI is rationalizing services toward modern payment rails.
Who Will Be Affected?
- Customers relying on mCASH for instant, beneficiary-free transfers
- Individuals or businesses using mCASH for one-time collections
- Anyone who must now shift to UPI or bank transfers
Immediate Steps Customers Should Take
- Stop using mCASH links after 30 November 2025
- Cancel pending links and notify recipients
- Update SBI apps (YONO / BHIM SBI Pay) and any third-party UPI apps
- Verify contact and bank details to avoid failed payments
- Learn UPI, IMPS, NEFT, RTGS for future transfers
Suggested Alternatives (and Quick How-To)
1. UPI — Instant & Most Popular
How to use:
Open BHIM SBI Pay / YONO / another UPI app → Pay → Enter VPA, scan QR, or enter account + IFSC → Enter amount → Authenticate with UPI PIN.
2. IMPS
24×7 instant transfers using account number + IFSC.
3. NEFT / RTGS
- NEFT: routine bank transfers (batch-based)
- RTGS: real-time for high-value transfers
These alternatives are faster, safer, and widely accepted.
Security Tips
- Beware of phishing links and fake payment requests
- Never share your UPI PIN or OTP
- Contact SBI customer support or visit a branch for help
- Digital beginners can visit Common Service Centres (CSCs) for assistance
Brief Summary
- mCASH ends: 30 November 2025
- Unavailable from: 1 December 2025
- Impact: No more link-based claiming/receiving
- Alternatives: UPI, IMPS, NEFT, RTGS
- Action: Update apps, cancel old links, switch methods
The Concluding Thought
The phasing out of mCASH is part of a broader movement to modernize digital payments. While transitions can feel inconvenient, modern rails such as UPI, IMPS, NEFT, and RTGS offer greater speed, security, and universal acceptance.
Spend a few minutes switching payment methods before December 1, 2025, to ensure a smooth transition.
