<p>Use another wallet like <a href="https://blockstream.com/green/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">green wallet</a> or <a href="https://wallet.mycelium.com/contact.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mycelium</a> and scan the QR code. </p>

<p>Also, you can even verify the content of the QR with <a href="https://lens.google.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Google Lens</a>, or another QR reading app.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-29T23:45:14.167Z
Thanks. Google Lens was able to scan it into a string that looks similar to what I put there.
c00000fd
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-30T21:49:02.323Z
As @paul-kania mentioned, please verify that the string you see in Google Lens is exactly what you expect it to be.
ohmyfromage
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-29T21:31:54.120Z
2020-01-29T21:31:54.120Z
ohmyfromage
<p>My reputation is too low to comment, but I must tell you that you should make sure not that</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Google Lens was able to scan it into a string that looks similar to what I put there</p>
</blockquote>

<p>But rather the string should be exactly the same. To do this quickly you can check the first 4-5 characters and the last 4-5 characters of the string, and maybe a quick glance in the middle. Look into novelty addresses and you'll understand what it takes to forge/mimic an address.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-30T19:54:09.777Z
2020-01-30T19:54:09.777Z
Paul Kania
<p>I set up a QR code on my website to <a href="https://www.blockchain.com/api/api_receive" rel="nofollow noreferrer">receive Bitcoin payments</a>. So now I need to test it. I thought that if I install a Coinbase app it would let me scan it with its QR code scanner to see how my QR code looks like, but after giving Coinbase my address, phone number, DOB and last 4 numbers of my SSN, they now want to have access to my checking account.</p>

<p>Is there an app or some way to test my QR code with a smartphone (iPhone) without signing my life away?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-29T22:27:16.787Z
Coinbase is a custodial exchange business, that will demand all your KYC info. Use any non-custodial wallet and it will work fine.
chytrik
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-29T23:16:13.303Z
@chytrik can you explain what's the difference between `custodial` and `non-custodial` wallets?
c00000fd
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-29T23:25:44.420Z
Non-custodial: the wallet gives you full control of your private keys (which are required to spend the funds stored in the wallet). Custodial: someone else has full control of the private keys (so you must ask them to spend your funds for you). Beware trusted third party solutions, such as custodial wallets. Similarly, I would recommend you at least consider using a self-hosted solution for receiving payments (ie, not the blockchain.com API), this will give you full control of your ability to receive BTC payments, and will be much better for your privacy (and the privacy of your users).
chytrik
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-29T23:27:26.960Z
This site has a good list of wallets you could consider using: https://bitcoin.org/en/choose-your-wallet . You could also look at something like BTCpayserver as a means of accepting payments in a self-hosted fashion
chytrik
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-29T23:44:41.613Z
@chytrik thanks for the info. I actually created a wallet using Electrum app on my desktop. I think I can send BTC through it, don't I? And I use Blockchain.info web APIs to track any receipts into that wallet. (Still need to find ways to test it.) They provide a free API (without even setting up an account) that can call my PHP script when the payment arrives. So at this stage I'm just trying to test if my generated QR code will be recognized by a crypto-currency app running on a mobile phone. I just need to find one that will let me scan a QR code without giving them all my info :(
c00000fd
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-30T00:00:20.747Z
Electrum is non-custodial, yes. Using blockchain's API will doxx all your payments to their servers though, and as with most thing *"if you're not paying, you are the product"*. Something to consider, at least. re: QR codes: Even most mobile phone camera apps can scan a QR code these days, it really shouldn't be tough to do. Note: **BEWARE** any 'bitcoin-specific' QR code reader/generator you may find. Many malicious versions exist, that sub in a scammers address for the one in the QR code.
chytrik
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-30T00:58:38.713Z
@chytrik yeah thanks. I've noticed that there's so much scam involving BTC. Someone just today was trying to scam me on Twitter. I'm curious about Blockchain API though. Why are you saying it's bad that they'll see all transactions? I was using them just to get notifications when payment was received so that my server-side PHP script can process it. Otherwise I have to do it manually. Do you know of any other services that can do this? If so it'd be nice. Again, I need a web API callback type service for when payment arrives into my BTC wallet(s).
c00000fd
<qrcode>
How to test my Bitcoin QR code without giving my bank account
c00000fd
# How to test my Bitcoin QR code without giving my bank account

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-01-29)

I set up a QR code on my website to [receive Bitcoin payments](https://www.blockchain.com/api/api_receive). So now I need to test it. I thought that if I install a Coinbase app it would let me scan it with its QR code scanner to see how my QR code looks like, but after giving Coinbase my address, phone number, DOB and last 4 numbers of my SSN, they now want to have access to my checking account.

Is there an app or some way to test my QR code with a smartphone (iPhone) without signing my life away?

**Tags:** qrcode

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Coinbase is a custodial exchange business, that will demand all your KYC info. Use any non-custodial wallet and it will work fine.  
> **username_0**: @username_1 can you explain what's the difference between `custodial` and `non-custodial` wallets?  
> **username_1**: Non-custodial: the wallet gives you full control of your private keys (which are required to spend the funds stored in the wallet). Custodial: someone else has full control of the private keys (so you must ask them to spend your funds for you). Beware trusted third party solutions, such as custodial wallets. Similarly, I would recommend you at least consider using a self-hosted solution for receiving payments (ie, not the blockchain.com API), this will give you full control of your ability to receive BTC payments, and will be much better for your privacy (and the privacy of your users).  
> **username_1**: This site has a good list of wallets you could consider using: https://bitcoin.org/en/choose-your-wallet . You could also look at something like BTCpayserver as a means of accepting payments in a self-hosted fashion  
> **username_0**: @username_1 thanks for the info. I actually created a wallet using Electrum app on my desktop. I think I can send BTC through it, don't I? And I use Blockchain.info web APIs to track any receipts into that wallet. (Still need to find ways to test it.) They provide a free API (without even setting up an account) that can call my PHP script when the payment arrives. So at this stage I'm just trying to test if my generated QR code will be recognized by a crypto-currency app running on a mobile phone. I just need to find one that will let me scan a QR code without giving them all my info :(  
> **username_1**: Electrum is non-custodial, yes. Using blockchain's API will doxx all your payments to their servers though, and as with most thing *"if you're not paying, you are the product"*. Something to consider, at least. re: QR codes: Even most mobile phone camera apps can scan a QR code these days, it really shouldn't be tough to do. Note: **BEWARE** any 'bitcoin-specific' QR code reader/generator you may find. Many malicious versions exist, that sub in a scammers address for the one in the QR code.  
> **username_0**: @username_1 yeah thanks. I've noticed that there's so much scam involving BTC. Someone just today was trying to scam me on Twitter. I'm curious about Blockchain API though. Why are you saying it's bad that they'll see all transactions? I was using them just to get notifications when payment was received so that my server-side PHP script can process it. Otherwise I have to do it manually. Do you know of any other services that can do this? If so it'd be nice. Again, I need a web API callback type service for when payment arrives into my BTC wallet(s).  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-01-29. Score: 4

Use another wallet like [green wallet](https://blockstream.com/green/) or [Mycelium](https://wallet.mycelium.com/contact.html) and scan the QR code.

Also, you can even verify the content of the QR with [Google Lens](https://lens.google.com/), or another QR reading app.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks. Google Lens was able to scan it into a string that looks similar to what I put there.  
> **username_2**: As @username_3 mentioned, please verify that the string you see in Google Lens is exactly what you expect it to be.  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2020-01-30. Score: 1

My reputation is too low to comment, but I must tell you that you should make sure not that

> Google Lens was able to scan it into a string that looks similar to what I put there

But rather the string should be exactly the same. To do this quickly you can check the first 4-5 characters and the last 4-5 characters of the string, and maybe a quick glance in the middle. Look into novelty addresses and you'll understand what it takes to forge/mimic an address.


---

