Messenger Adds QR Codes for P2P Payments - US

Facebook Launches QR Codes for Peer-to-Peer Payments

This spring, Facebook announced testing of QR codes, functioning similarly to Venmo, for facilitating person-to-person payments within its application in the United States. Now, the company has revealed that these codes are officially available to all users across the U.S.

How the New Feature Works

These QR codes operate in a manner consistent with those utilized in other payment platforms, such as Venmo. Users can now both send and request funds via Facebook Pay, regardless of whether they are connected as friends on the platform.

Access to this functionality is located within the “Facebook Pay” section of Messenger’s settings. This section is accessed by selecting your profile icon, positioned in the upper left corner of the screen.

Accessing Your Personal QR Code

Within the settings, you will find your unique, personalized QR code. It resembles a standard QR code, but incorporates your profile picture at its center.

Below the QR code, your individual Facebook Pay URL is displayed, formatted as “https://m.me/pay/UserName.” This URL can be copied and shared with others when requesting payment.

Compatibility and Requirements

Facebook confirms that these codes are compatible between all U.S. Messenger users. No additional payment application or contact information upload is necessary to begin using the feature.

To send and receive money through Messenger, users must be at least 18 years of age. They will also require a valid Visa or Mastercard debit card, a PayPal account, or a supported prepaid or government-issued card.

Furthermore, users must designate U.S. dollars as their preferred currency within the application settings.

Security and Customization

Following the initial setup, you can select your preferred payment method as the default. Optionally, you can also add an extra layer of security by protecting transactions with a PIN code of your choice.

The QR code is also accessible from the Facebook Pay section within the main Facebook app, displayed in a carousel at the top of the screen.

Facebook Pay: A Broader Payment System

Facebook Pay was initially introduced in November 2019. It was designed to create a unified payment system across the company’s various applications.

This system supports not only person-to-person transactions, but also features like donations, Stars, and e-commerce functionalities. While the QR code functionality draws inspiration from Venmo, Facebook Pay isn’t directly competing with other payment apps due to its partnership with PayPal.

However, it’s worth noting that the payments experience is currently distinct from Facebook’s cryptocurrency wallet, Novi, though this could potentially evolve in the future.

Additional Messenger Updates

Alongside the QR code feature, Facebook has implemented several other updates to Messenger. These include a new Quick Reply bar, streamlining responses to photos and videos without navigating away from the chat.

New chat themes have also been added, including options dedicated to Olivia Rodrigo fans, World Oceans Day, and the latest installment in the Fast & Furious franchise, F9.