OpenTipJar Guides · Getting started
How do QR code tip pages work?
A QR code tip page lets someone scan a code with their phone, open a tipping page, and pay in seconds — no app and usually no account required.
The short answer
Someone scans a QR code with their phone camera, opens a tipping page in the browser, picks an amount, and pays with a card or mobile wallet. No app download is required for the person leaving the tip.
Step by step
Scan → recognizable page with your name or team → choose a preset or custom amount → pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or card → confirmation. The whole flow often takes under ten seconds.
NFC tap-to-tip
Some physical signs include an NFC chip that opens the same page URL as the QR code when a phone is held nearby. It is the same checkout — only the way the link opens changes.
What to look for
The QR should open a page you control so you can update copy or suggested amounts without reprinting. One code can stay on a jar, tent card, or poster for months.
Pitfalls
Codes that are too small, glossy, or taped over another code cause most scan failures. Test from arm's length in the lighting where the sign will live.
Common misconceptions
Scanning a tip QR code does not require downloading a tipping app — the phone camera opens a web page in the browser.
Customers do not need to create an OpenTipJar account to leave a tip after scanning.
A QR tip code is not a one-time payment request; it opens a page you can keep using for months.
Published by OpenTipJar — practical guides for anyone accepting cashless tips.
Frequently asked questions
Do customers need a special app to scan a tip QR code?
No. Most phone cameras open the link directly in the browser.
Can the same QR code stay on a jar or sign for months?
Yes, when the code points to a page you control rather than a one-off payment link that expires.
Try it yourself
Create a free tip page, download a QR code, and share it anywhere guests already pause — counter, room, or link in bio.