Does the new QR code payment method already work in stores? Journalists checked.

From July 1, a new payment service — "Krok" — officially launched in Belarus: with it, only a phone and a banking app are needed for payment, and a card can stay at home or not exist at all. Currently, 5 major banks and about ten retail outlets are connected to the service, but in a couple of weeks, there should be more. Meanwhile, fresh buttons have appeared at the checkouts of the first stores and in banking apps. "Onliner" tested the new payment method for Belarus.

Photos here and further: "Onliner"

What is "Krok" and what do QR codes have to do with it?

Recently, the National Bank introduced a new payment service called "Krok". It uses a QR code for payment, and the required amount is debited from the account via a banking application. Yes, the ability to pay using a QR code was available in the country before, through the "Aplati" app, but now there is no need to download a separate application.

Payment is possible in two formats:

• at the checkout, a QR code is generated for the buyer, who scans it and is directed to their bank's app, where they confirm the payment amount;

• the person generates their QR code in the banking app, and the cashier scans this code to pay for the goods.

The national payment service is implemented based on the National Bank's instant payment system and the ERIP payment system. Such QR payment services have long been widespread abroad: for example, SBP in Russia, AliPay and WeChat Pay in China.

Currently, only clients of 5 major banks connected to "Krok" can use it:

• Belarusbank;

• Belagroprombank;

• Alfa Bank;

• Priorbank;

• Bank Dabrabyt.

From July 1, the service was launched in a limited number of locations, and from mid-July, the National Bank promised a mass launch. From December 1, 2026, "Krok" should become available to other Belarusian banks.

List of places where you can already pay this way:

• "Belmarket" in Minsk on Kuprevicha St.;

• "Susedzi" on Shugaeva St., Surganava St., Belinskogo St.;

• "Hippo" on Zhukovskogo St.;

• Green on Gazety "Pravda" Ave.;

• A-100 gas station on Dauginava tract;

• "5 Element" on Dzianisauskaya St. and Dzyarzhynskaga Ave.;

• Palace of Water Sports on Surganava St.;

• "Prosta Market" on Lozhinskaya St.;

• "Pizza Lisitsa" and Sushi House — online.

Outside Minsk:

• "Mahorka" in Gomel on Borodina St.;

• "Budmarket" in Soligorsk on K. Zaslonova St.;

• Linecom in Vitebsk on Pobedy Ave.

Was it possible to use it?

Journalists went to test the system at "Susedzi" on Surganava St. There was a special purple sticker at the self-checkout, but the journalists couldn't find the necessary button in the checkout interface itself. The cashier also didn't know how to use it. As a result, they paid with a regular bank card.

In the banking app, the "Krok" button appeared after the program update. Clicking the button leads to the option to scan a QR code or create one's own. The generated code has a very short active time — a timer counts down half a minute.

At the "Hippo" supermarket on Zhukovskogo St., the new payment method was found at the very end of the self-checkout menu list. Judging by the label, it is only suitable for Priorbank clients (payment was successful with their app), while the Alfa Bank app did not work.

When they tried to use "Krok" at a regular checkout in the same store, the payment did not go through.

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