MENLO PARK, Calif.—Facebook has confirmed it is testing a new QR code feature and payment links for use with Facebook Pay to make it easier for people in the U.S. to send or request money from one another, TechCrunch is reporting.
The QR code feature, similar to Venmo’s QR codes and others, will allow a user to scan a friend’s code with their smartphone’s camera to send or request money, while the sharable payment links lets consumers publish their payment address outside of Facebook itself.
TechCrunch said the Facebook addition was first spotted by MacRumors, which noted that users were being presented with a new “Scan” button in the Facebook Pay carousel at the top of the screen.
“When you tap this button, you’re launched into an experience where you can scan the other person’s code. The screen that displays the QR code also introduces the personalized payment URL in the format of ‘https://m.me/pay/UserName,’ which can also be sent to others when you’re making a payment or sending a request,” TechCrunch said.
A Facebook spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch the feature’s launch, but characterized it as a “test” that’s currently taking place in the U.S.
“To make payments on Messenger even easier, we’ve begun testing the ability for people to use QR codes and payment links when they want to send or request money,” the spokesperson said.