QR Ph is the Philippines' national QR code standard regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) under Circular 1055 and approved by the Philippine Payments Management, Inc. (PPMI). Built on the secure Europay-Mastercard-VISA (EMV) framework, QR Ph allows Coins.ph users to pay merchants instantly, transfer funds across banks/e-wallets, and complete account verifications.
Account Requirements & Prerequisites
Before using QR Ph for payments or transfers, make sure your account meets these requirements:
- Identity Verification: Your Coins.ph account must be at least ID and Selfie Verified.
- Verified Mobile Number: A verified mobile number must be linked to your account.
- Sufficient Wallet Balance: Ensure your PHP balance covers the intended payment amount.
- Withdrawal Limits: Outgoing merchant payments and transfers count toward your daily, monthly, and annual cash-out/withdrawal limits.
How to Pay Merchants via QR Ph (Scan & Pay)
You can pay at any physical store, restaurant, or online checkout displaying the official QR Ph logo. Merchant payments process in real-time with ₱0 transaction fees.
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Open Scanner: Launch the Coins.ph app and tap the Scan QR icon located below your Total Balance on the Home tab.
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Grant Camera Permissions & Scan:
- If prompted, tap Allow to grant the app camera access.
- Frame the merchant's QR Ph code within the square guide box.
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Alternative: If you saved a screenshot or image of the QR code, tap the Photo icon at the upper-left corner to upload it directly from your gallery.
- Enter Payment Amount: Check the amount displayed on screen or manually enter the exact amount provided by the seller.
- Complete Security Check: Enter your PIN, complete biometric authentication, or enter your required MFA verification codes.
- Confirm Payment: Review the transaction details and tap Confirm. You will receive an instant notification once successful.
How to Check Payment Success: Go to your PHP Wallet in the Portfolio tab and select the transaction. Take note of the Order Number in case you need to verify the payment with the merchant or Coins Support.
How to Send & Receive Funds via Personal QR Codes
1. Sending Funds to Other Banks or E-Wallets
- Tap the Scan QR icon on your app Home tab.
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Scan your recipient's personal QR Ph code (or tap Photo to upload a saved QR image).
- Enter the transfer amount on the cash-out screen.
- Review all details and complete security verification to send funds via InstaPay.
2. Generating Your Code to Receive PHP or Crypto
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Tap the Scan QR icon on the Home tab and select the My Code tab at the bottom.
- Select Currency: Tap the "Receive [Currency]" button at the top to switch between receiving PHP or supported Crypto Tokens.
- (Optional for PHP) Tap to embed a specific requested amount into your QR code.
- Share your QR code with the sender to receive instant deposits.
Scanning QR Codes for Web Verification & Security Scans
When performing secure activities on the Coins.ph Website—such as identity verification or facial recognition scans for cryptocurrency transactions—you may be prompted with an on-screen QR code.
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Open your Coins.ph mobile app, tap the Scan QR button below your Total Balance, and scan the website's QR code to launch the Facial Recognition scanner on your phone.
Fees and Limits Summary
Transaction Type |
Applicable Fee |
Transaction Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Merchant Payments (Scan & Pay) | FREE (₱0 Fee) | Counts against your account's daily/monthly cash-out limit. |
| Personal Fund Transfers (Outgoing) | Standard InstaPay fee applies (if applicable) | Capped by InstaPay limits (up to ₱50,000 per transfer) & account tier limits. |
| Receiving Funds / Deposits (Incoming) | FREE (₱0 Fee) | Subject to sender's platform limits and your wallet holding limits. |
Best Practices & Troubleshooting Tips
Best Practices
- Before Payment: Verify you have an active internet connection, sufficient balance, and that the merchant displays an official QR Ph standee.
- During Payment: Hold your device steady and wait for the green confirmation screen.
- After Payment: Check your transaction history and note the Order Number for reference.
Troubleshooting Scanning Issues
- Camera Won't Focus or Scan: Clean your camera lens, ensure proper lighting, or tap the Photo icon to upload a screenshot of the QR code instead.
- Invalid QR Code: Ensure you are scanning an official QR Ph compliant code.
- Payment Unconfirmed: If funds were debited without merchant confirmation, check your transaction history for the Order Number and contact Coins Support via the app widget.
**Watch: How to use QR Ph by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there fees when paying merchants using QR Ph?
No. Scanning and paying at merchants or businesses displaying the QR Ph standee is completely free of charge. Personal fund transfers to other users or accounts may incur standard network/InstaPay fees.
2. Can I scan a QR code saved in my photo gallery?
Yes! Open the scanner in your app, tap the Photo icon at the upper-left corner, and select the saved QR code image from your device's photo gallery.
3. Which merchants accept Coins.ph QR Ph payments?
You can pay at any establishment, restaurant, or retail store nationwide that displays the official QR Ph logo, regardless of which bank or e-wallet issued the merchant's code.
4. Where can I find my Order Number if a merchant asks for proof?
Go to your Portfolio tab, tap on your PHP Wallet balance, and select the specific QR Ph payment transaction. The Order Number will be listed at the top of the receipt view.