Hello everyone, I wanted to know if wallet money like Paytm or PhonePe wallet can be used directly to scan and pay on any UPI interoperable QR in 2025. Does it work?
I was also wondering how wallet to UPI QR scanning works because at first wallets like Paytm or PhonePe wallet money could only be used within their own app. But now, with interoperability rules things have changed a lot.
How Wallet to UPI Interoperable QR Code Scan Works
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Common QR System: NPCI has introduced UPI QR Interoperability, in this one single QR csn accept payments from both wallets and UPI apps.
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Wallet to UPI: you can pay directly from your wallet balance by scanning QR code if you have balance in your Paytm Wallet, Phonepe wallet, Amazon wallet or Mobikwik Wallet.
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No Need for Bank Linking: If your bank account is not linked you van still pay through QR scan, which makes it useful for those people who don’t want to use their bank account.
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Merchant Side: The shopkeeper receives money just like a normal UPI transaction in their bank account. From their point of view, it doesn’t matter if you paid through UPI or wallet.
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Charges: if you are doing small transactions usually under ₹2,000, then there is mostly zero charges. For higher amounts, there may be MDR (Merchant Discount Rate), but it’s borne by merchants, not customers.
Wallet to UPI QR Interoperability
| Feature | Before Interoperability | After Interoperability (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| QR Code Type | Each wallet had its own QR (Paytm, PhonePe etc.) | Single UPI QR code works across UPI apps and wallets |
| Payment Source | Wallet money usable only within same app | Wallet money can be used to pay any UPI merchant QR |
| Bank Account Requirement | Mandatory for UPI, optional for wallet | Wallet users without bank account can still scan UPI QR and pay |
| User Convenience | Limited usability | One QR everywhere → wider acceptance & more freedom |
| Merchant Settlement | Separate wallet settlements | All payments settle directly into merchant’s linked bank account |
