Samsung Wallet now supports a QR-code payment feature called Scan to Pay for Galaxy users in South Africa, the company announced on 7 September 2026. The function lets customers complete in-store and online purchases by scanning a merchant QR code within the Wallet app and confirming the payment on their phone.
What the feature does and who provides it
The new capability is integrated into Samsung Wallet through a local payments stack: it is provided by EFT Corp and supported by a South African payments provider called Scan to Pay. According to the announcement, the local partner network covers more than 600,000 acceptance locations and exceeds 19 million app inclusions across consumer banking, fintech and financial services applications.
- How it works: Open Samsung Wallet, scan a merchant QR code and confirm the transaction on the Galaxy device.
- Where it connects: The feature plugs into merchants that display QR codes supported by the Scan to Pay network.
- Security: Payments are protected by Samsung Knox and biometric authentication on the phone.
Security and user experience
Samsung emphasised the security layer around the new payment method. Transactions are guarded by Samsung Knox, the company’s device security framework, while users must authenticate with biometrics to approve payments. That combination aims to prevent unauthorised use if a phone is lost or stolen.
“Samsung doesn’t just focus on tech and AI innovation for Galaxy users. One of the core fundamentals within the product design process is having a deep understanding of what our users do with our devices, and importantly how we can make everyday usage more intuitive and easier,” said Zahir Cajee, MX Lead, Product and Commercial, Samsung South Africa.
The firm framed Scan to Pay as a way to reduce friction at checkout and speed up ordinary retail and dining transactions by removing the need to present a physical card.
Practical implications for consumers and merchants
For Galaxy owners, the update offers another convenient payment route inside an existing app rather than a separate banking or merchant app. For merchants, joining an established QR acceptance network can be a lower-cost option than installing new card terminals or managing multiple payment providers.
Key practical points for South African users to note:
- If your phone is a Galaxy device with Samsung Wallet installed, you should be able to access Scan to Pay once the update is live for your model.
- Merchants must participate in the Scan to Pay acceptance network — presence of a QR code on the till does not guarantee compatibility with other QR payment schemes.
- Security relies on device-level protections and biometric confirmation; users should continue to apply general mobile security hygiene such as locking phones and installing updates.
What remains unclear
The announcement does not detail whether Scan to Pay transactions will be processed at the same interchange rates as card transactions, nor does it specify whether consumers will be able to choose which bank card or account is charged within Samsung Wallet. The rollout also raises questions about interoperability with other QR standards and how merchants will sign up or switch networks.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Acceptance locations | 600,000+ |
| App integrations | 19 million+ |
Samsung says Scan to Pay is available now in South Africa. For consumers on tight data budgets, a QR payment that avoids additional app downloads can be appealing — but the feature’s real convenience will depend on how many merchants adopt the Scan to Pay network and how banks and fintechs integrate their cards into Samsung Wallet.
As digital payments continue to diversify, the new QR option joins contactless card tap, bank apps and NFC mobile-payments as ways South Africans can pay with their phones. The choice for users will increasingly rest on convenience, cost and how well the services interoperate at the point of sale.
