To send money with a GCash QR code, tap QR in the app, scan or upload the code, enter the amount, tap Next, check the details and tap Send. According to GCash's help page, the QR scanner works with GCash personal codes, merchant codes and bank codes.

Sending by QR is useful when you do not have the other person's mobile number, or when you want to avoid typing mistakes. A single wrong digit in a mobile number can send money to a stranger. A QR code fills in the recipient for you, which is why it is such a popular method for splitting bills, paying allowances and sending support to family.

Step by step

Step one: open GCash and tap QR.

Step two: scan the other person's code with your camera, or upload a picture of it from your gallery.

Step three: enter the amount you want to send, then tap Next.

Step four: check the details on the confirmation screen. Read the recipient's name carefully.

Step five: tap Send.

Step six: keep the confirmation and wait for the other person to see the credit.

If you are sending to a store, the steps are the same, except the code may already carry an amount. If you are sending to a bank code, the screen may show extra details such as the bank name.

Three kinds of codes you may meet

A personal GCash code belongs to an individual user. It is meant for receiving money from friends, family or buyers. It usually does not include an amount, so you decide how much to send.

A merchant code belongs to a business, such as a shop, a market stall or a service provider. It may be a fixed sticker or standee, and some include a set amount.

A bank code belongs to a bank account and follows the national QR Ph format. GCash says its scanner can read these too. Remember that sending to a bank may involve a fee, so look at the confirmation screen before you tap Send.

What the recipient sees

After you send, the other person should see the money in their wallet or account, depending on the type of code. For GCash to GCash transfers, the credit is usually quick. For bank transfers, timing may depend on the bank's side, so allow some time and check your transaction history.

Ask the other person to confirm receipt before you treat a payment as complete, especially if you are buying something from them. A screenshot from you proves you sent money, but a confirmation from them proves they received it.

Fees and limits

GCash says creating a personal QR code is free, and the official page notes that other banks or e-wallets may charge fees. Fees for sending to a bank can change, and GCash has made announcements about transfer fees over time. Always check the confirmation screen for any charge before you finish, and do not rely on numbers you read in old blog posts.

Limits depend on your account level and on GCash's current rules. If a transfer fails because of a limit, the app should tell you. Check the Help Center for the latest information rather than guessing.

Screenshot of the GCash app related to gcash send money qr code

Common mistakes

Typing an amount with the wrong number of zeros. Read the amount twice before you tap Send.

Not reading the name. A name mismatch can mean you scanned the wrong code or that someone is trying to mislead you.

Using a blurry picture and assuming the app caught the right code. If a name looks odd, stop and ask.

Sending money to someone you just met online without any other proof of identity. A QR code only tells you where money goes, not whether the person is honest.

Paying first and asking questions later. For online purchases, it is safer to confirm the item, the price and the seller's name before you pay.

Splitting bills with friends

QR codes are great for group payments. One person generates a personal code and shares it in the group. Everyone scans or uploads the picture, enters their share and sends. The person collecting checks the transaction history and ticks names off a list. This beats collecting numbers and sending money one by one, and it reduces mistakes.

When you collect money this way, share the code only with the group, and delete the picture from the chat when you are done if you want to keep things tidy.

Sending support to family

If your parents or siblings use GCash, ask them to share their personal codes with you once and save them in a private album. Next time you send support, upload the code, enter the amount and send. It saves time, and it prevents a mistaken digit from sending allowance to the wrong person.

If a transfer goes wrong

If you sent money to the wrong person, act quickly. Take a screenshot of the confirmation, note the time, and contact GCash through its official channels. Avoid third-party websites that promise to recover money for a fee. If the recipient is someone you know, contact them politely and ask whether they can return the money.

If you think you paid a scammer, read the safety section of this guide and report it using the in-app Help Center, the chat support or the official hotline.

A short example

Ate Joy needs to send tuition money to a tutor. The tutor shares a personal GCash code in chat. Joy saves it, opens QR, uploads the picture and enters the amount. The recipient name matches the tutor she knows. She taps Next, checks the screen again and taps Send. The tutor confirms receipt a minute later, and Joy keeps her screenshot for her records.

This guide is independent and not affiliated with GCash. We last checked the steps against GCash's official help pages in November 2026. Always trust the confirmation screen in your own app.

Keep reading

More guides in this section: GCash QR Code How-To: Generate, Scan and Pay Guides.

Back to the main guide: GCash QR Code: How to Generate, Scan & Pay with QR Ph.