How to Scan a PIX QR Code
Pay at any Brazilian merchant instantly
Compatibility Check
✅CPF holders → Any Brazilian banking app
✅Tourists → Mercado Pago app
✅Expats → Nubank / Itaú / any bank
❌Without CPF/Mercado Pago → Use card instead
Step-by-Step: Nubank
- 1
Open Nubank app
- 2
Tap "Área PIX" on the home screen
- 3
Select "Pagar" (Pay)
- 4
Tap "Escanear QR Code"
- 5
Point your camera at the PIX QR code
- 6
App reads QR instantly
- 7
Verify: merchant name + amount
- 8
Tap "Continuar"
- 9
Confirm with biometric or PIN
- 10
✅ "Transferência realizada!" confirmation
Step-by-Step: Mercado Pago (for tourists)
- 1
Open Mercado Pago app
- 2
Tap camera icon / "Escanear" on home screen
- 3
Scan PIX or Mercado Pago QR code
- 4
Review merchant name + amount
- 5
Tap "Pagar"
- 6
Confirm with PIN or biometric
- 7
✅ Instant confirmation!
Step-by-Step: Itaú
- 1
Open Itaú app
- 2
Tap "PIX"
- 3
Select "Pagar com QR Code"
- 4
Scan merchant QR code
- 5
Verify details and confirm
- 6
✅ Done!
Identify a Valid PIX QR Code
✓Shows PIX logo (blue/teal) or Mercado Pago logo
✓Shows merchant or person name
✓Shows amount (dynamic) or "open amount" (static)
✓Often displayed on phone screen or printed sticker
✓Contains CRC16 checksum (invisible to user)
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| "Chave PIX não encontrada" | Recipient not registered |
| QR not scanning | Clean lens, better lighting |
| "QR Code inválido" | Damaged or wrong format |
| "Limite atingido" | Night limit (R$1,000) active |
| Wrong merchant name | Stop – may be fraud |
| "PIX indisponível" | Rare outage, try again |
| Amount seems wrong | Verify before confirming |
After Successful Payment
- ✅Screenshot the "Comprovante" (receipt) screen
- ✅Merchant gets instant sound notification
- ✅Both parties receive push notification
- ✅Comprovante shows: date, amount, CPF (masked), merchant name, transaction ID
- ✅Save for 90 days (consumer protection)
⚠️ Never scan a QR code from an unknown source
Common scams:
- • Fake QR codes placed over real ones
- • WhatsApp messages with QR codes asking for 'refunds'
- • 'Test' payments that are actually real
Always verify merchant name before confirming!
Ready to generate your PIX QR code?
Generate PIX QR Code →