Why Do Third-Party Wallet Apps Fail to Scan "Receive Token" QR Codes? How to Fix It?

·

Summary
Some third-party wallet apps may fail to recognize QR codes generated by Bitcoin.com Wallet during the "Receive Token" process (e.g., for ETH or MATIC). Switching to a "legacy address" resolves this issue.


Root Cause of the Error

If a third-party wallet app displays an error when scanning a cryptocurrency address generated by Bitcoin.com Wallet, the most likely reason is that the app hasn’t implemented Ethereum Improvement Proposal-681 (EIP-681).

EIP-681 standardizes how transactions—especially payment requests—are represented for ETH and ERC-20 tokens (e.g., URLs embedded in QR codes). Its goals include:

👉 Learn more about secure token transfers

Compatible wallets will warn users about chain mismatches, while non-compatible wallets may show errors or fail to scan.


How to Fix the QR Code Scanning Issue

Method 1: Switch to Legacy Address

  1. Open Bitcoin.com Wallet and navigate to "Receive Token."
  2. Select the token you wish to receive (e.g., ETH).
  3. Toggle the "Legacy Address" option.
  4. Share the new QR code or address with the sender.

Method 2: Manual Address Entry

If the sender’s wallet still can’t scan the QR code:

  1. Copy the legacy address text.
  2. Paste it directly into the sender’s wallet app.

Key Benefits of EIP-681

👉 Explore wallets supporting EIP-681


FAQs

Q1: Why does my wallet app say the QR code is invalid?

A: Your wallet likely doesn’t support EIP-681. Use a legacy address or switch to a compatible wallet.

Q2: Will switching to a legacy address affect my funds?

A: No. Legacy addresses are equally secure but lack EIP-681’s chain-checking features.

Q3: How can I check if my wallet supports EIP-681?

A: Test by scanning a QR code from a known EIP-681-compliant wallet (e.g., Bitcoin.com Wallet).

Q4: Are there risks to using non-EIP-681 wallets?

A: Yes, higher chances of sending tokens to wrong chains, potentially losing funds.


Final Notes

Always verify the recipient’s blockchain network before sending tokens. For optimal safety, use wallets that implement EIP-681.