# Octopus

> Source: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/HK/octopus
> research date 2026-10-21 · extracted at 2026-10-21
> Publisher: Barcoder — encyclopedia of QR, barcode and payment-code standards

**Octopus** (八達通) is the contactless stored-value card that almost everyone in Hong Kong uses for the MTR, buses, ferries, convenience stores and car parks. You tap it on a reader and it beeps ("Dood"). You don't sign anything or enter a PIN. It is run by Octopus Cards Limited, which holds the first stored value facility licence the Hong Kong Monetary Authority issued, SVF0001 [[1]](https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/regulatory-resources/registers/register-of-svf-licensees). An Adult card costs HK$200 at an MTR customer service centre: a refundable HK$50 deposit plus HK$150 of value [[5]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/on-loan/standard.html). Phones (iPhone, Android, Samsung, Huawei) can carry an Octopus too, and the Octopus App adds a wallet with FPS bank transfers and QR payments abroad.

| | |
|---|---|
| **Country** | Hong Kong (`HK`); the card also works in Macau [[49]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/about/index.html) |
| **What it is** | A stored-value card (or a card stored on a phone), plus Octopus Wallet, an online stored-value account in the Octopus App [[13]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/wallet/about.html) |
| **Who runs it** | Octopus Cards Limited, Kowloon Bay; HKMA SVF licence SVF0001, effective 13 Nov 2016 [[1]](https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/regulatory-resources/registers/register-of-svf-licensees) |
| **Since** | September 1997 on public transport [[2]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/about-octopus/profile/overview/index.html) |
| **Cost** | HK$50 refundable deposit for an On-Loan card [[5]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/on-loan/standard.html); HK$39 for a Tourist Octopus with no deposit [[7]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/sold-tourist/index.html); no fee to pay with it |
| **Typical limit** | HK$3,000 stored on a card or phone Octopus [[8]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/tourist/usages/index.html)[[16]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/apple-pay/about/index.html); HK$3,000 to HK$30,000 in Octopus Wallet, by tier [[13]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/wallet/about.html) |
| **Reaches** | 336 mainland cities' transit with the China T-Union card; PromptPay in Thailand, Weixin Pay and UnionPay QR in mainland China, ZeroPay in Korea and PayPay in Japan through the app [[24]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/cross-border/china-t-union.html)[[26]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/promptpay/about/index.html)[[28]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/unionpay/about/index.html)[[31]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/paypay/about/index.html) |
| **Code on paper?** | No. You pay by tapping. The app can scan a merchant's Octopus QR code, and a QR code appears when you pick Octopus at a desktop web checkout [[34]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/business-octopus-app/use/index.html)[[33]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/online-payment/index.html) |

Octopus has its own [wallet page](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/octopus) covering the company's history, owners and results. This page covers using it in Hong Kong.

## How Octopus came to Hong Kong

Five transport operators set up the company behind Octopus in 1994, and the fare system launched in September 1997 [[2]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/about-octopus/profile/overview/index.html). It spread from fares to shops, parking, tunnels, building access, schools and self-service kiosks [[49]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/about/index.html).

| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| Sep 1997 | Octopus fare system launched [[2]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/about-octopus/profile/overview/index.html) |
| 13 Nov 2016 | SVF licence SVF0001 takes effect [[1]](https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/regulatory-resources/registers/register-of-svf-licensees) |
| 14 Dec 2017 | Smart Octopus in Samsung Pay, the first Octopus on a phone, at over 21,000 retail outlets [[47]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2017/20171211.html) |
| 30 Sep 2018 | The O! ePay wallet (now Octopus Wallet) joins the HKMA's Faster Payment System (FPS) [[48]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2018/20180917.html)[[13]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/wallet/about.html) |
| 2 Jun 2020 | Octopus on iPhone and Apple Watch, at 35,000 retail outlets [[46]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2020/20200602.html) |
| 4 Dec 2023 | FPS x PromptPay link to Thailand opens; Octopus is one of two non-bank wallets in it [[27]](https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/news-and-media/press-releases/2023/12/20231204-3/) |
| 24 Sep 2024 | Octopus – China T-Union card on sale after a pilot from March [[25]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2024/20240924.html) |
| 2024 | Beta launch of Octopus on Android; taxi network opened to QR-code wallets [[4]](https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/corporate/en/investor/annual2024/E15.pdf) |
| Dec 2024 | The app pays Weixin Pay QR merchants in mainland China; all Weixin Pay QR codes from 30 Jul 2025 [[29]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2024/20241218.html)[[30]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2025/20250730.html) |
| 1 Oct 2025 | PayPay QR payments in Japan [[32]](https://www.thestandard.com.hk/news/article/313027/Octopus-teams-up-with-PayPay-for-payments-in-Japan) |

**Usage.** The MTR Corporation, the largest shareholder, reports Octopus's figures each year:

| At 31 Dec | Cards and products in circulation | Transactions a day | Value a day | Acceptance in Hong Kong |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 [[53]](https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/corporate/en/investor/annual2023/E18.pdf) | 27 million | 16 million | HK$353.2 million | over 100,000 service providers |
| 2024 [[4]](https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/corporate/en/investor/annual2024/E15.pdf) | about 32 million | 15.9 million | HK$331.5 million | over 190,000 points |
| 2025 [[3]](https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/corporate/en/investor/annual2025/E14.pdf) | over 35 million | 15.8 million | HK$339.4 million | over 135,000 service providers, over 200,000 points |

Octopus's own pages give other figures. Its card page says "more than 20 million" cards are in circulation and that 98% of people aged 15–64 hold one [[49]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/about/index.html). Its business page says 36 million cards, 15 million transactions a day and 210,000 acceptance points [[35]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/business/index.html). Neither page is dated, so the MTR's year-end numbers are the firmer ones.

## How to use it

**Get a card.**
- **On-Loan Octopus.** Buy one at an MTR customer service centre. Most stations have one, but Airport and some others don't sell them [[5]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/on-loan/standard.html). The Child card (age 3–11) and the Elder card (65 and over) get fare concessions on the MTR, KMB, Citybus and Sun Ferry [[8]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/tourist/usages/index.html).

  | Type | Deposit | Value included |
  |---|---|---|
  | Child (3–11) | HK$50 | HK$50 |
  | Adult | HK$50 | HK$150 |
  | Elder (65+) | HK$50 | HK$50 |
  | Personalised (your name; HK$20 handling charge) | HK$50 | HK$130 |

  These are the amounts on the Standard Octopus page [[5]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/on-loan/standard.html). The tourist page instead says On-Loan cards come with HK$20–100 of value, depending on the type [[8]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/tourist/usages/index.html).
- **Tourist Octopus.** It costs HK$39, with no deposit and no value on it. You can keep it as a souvenir [[7]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/sold-tourist/index.html). The China T-Union version costs HK$42 and also pays transit fares on the mainland and in Macau [[6]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/tourist/choices/index.html).
- **JoyYou Card.** Hong Kong residents aged 60 or over need this personalised card for the government's "$2 Scheme". Since 3 April 2026 you pay HK$2 for fares up to HK$10 and 20% of the adult fare above that. Anonymous Elder cards have not been covered since 25 August 2024 [[45]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/on-loan/joyyou.html).

**Pay.** Hold the card or phone flat on the reader until it beeps and the screen shows your remaining value. Tap one card at a time, not your wallet with several cards in it [[8]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/tourist/usages/index.html). Phone versions work without opening an app or waking the screen [[16]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/apple-pay/about/index.html)[[17]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/android-octopus/about/index.html).

**Top up.**
- **Cash**: at 7-Eleven, Circle K, Wellcome, ParknShop, McDonald's, Starbucks and transport counters. At a till that takes Octopus you can also load your change onto the card, and the HKMA's coin carts load coins onto it [[11]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/reload/index.html).
- **Automatic Add Value Service (AAVS)**: tops the card up from a credit card (HK$150 to HK$1,000) or a bank account by FPS (HK$500 or HK$1,000) when the balance runs short [[12]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/aavs/about/index.html).
- **Octopus App**: tap your physical card on the back of the phone and pay from Octopus Wallet or your bank app by FPS. The FPS page lists 17 participating banks [[14]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/fps/index.html).

**Check the balance.** The reader and some receipts show it. The Octopus App shows the balance and transactions [[52]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/check-balance/index.html). The Octopus App also collects the government's Public Transport Fare Subsidy, from the 16th of each month for the month before [[44]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/ptfss/subsidy-collection/index.html).

**Octopus on your phone.**

| Phone | What you need | Pay for it with |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone or Apple Watch | iPhone 8 or later, Watch Series 3 or later; Adult or Elder, HK$50 deposit, HK$3,000 cap [[16]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/apple-pay/about/index.html) | Hong Kong-issued cards in Apple Pay, Octopus Wallet, FPS, AAVS or cash; you can move a physical card's value onto the phone |
| Android | Android 12 or later (or EMUI 13), NFC, an Octopus Wallet account; Adult only, HK$50 deposit plus at least HK$100 [[17]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/android-octopus/about/index.html)[[18]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/android-octopus/get.html) | Hong Kong-issued cards in Google Pay, UnionPay App, FPS, bank app, Octopus Wallet |
| Samsung Pay ("Smart Octopus") | Listed Galaxy models; HK$50 deposit, HK$3,000 cap (HK$1,000 if issued before 1 Oct 2019) [[20]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/smart-octopus/about/index.html) | Hong Kong-issued Visa or Mastercard in Samsung Pay, FPS, AAVS, cash |
| Huawei Pay | Octopus App from AppGallery (the Google Play version doesn't support it); Adult or Elder, HK$50 deposit, HK$3,000 cap [[19]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/huawei-pay/about/index.html) | UnionPay card, FPS, bank app, AAVS, cash |

**Octopus Wallet.** This is an account in the Octopus App, separate from the card. It pays people, shops online and moves money to and from banks by FPS [[13]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/wallet/about.html). There are three tiers:
- **Lite**: age 12 or over; you sign up with a Hong Kong mobile number and an email address.
- **Plus**: ages 13–17. New Plus accounts have been for this age group only since 2022.
- **Pro (Verified)**: age 18 or over.

Plus and Pro need an HKID photo, a selfie and your home address. Without an HKID you can only open Lite [[13]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/wallet/about.html). With Plus or Pro you can register your mobile number with the FPS addressing service, so that people can pay you by phone number from any bank or wallet [[48]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2018/20180917.html)[[14]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/fps/index.html). A payment can't be cancelled once it is done. If you sent money to the wrong number, you can ask for a refund on a mis-transfer form [[50]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/wallet/p2p.html).

**Visiting Hong Kong.**
- **iPhone or Apple Watch**: install the separate Octopus App for Tourists (iPhone X or later, Watch Series 3 or later). You can add a new Octopus before you fly and top it up with a non-Hong Kong Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay card in Apple Pay, the e-CNY app or Weixin Pay. The cap is HK$3,000 [[21]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/tourist-apple-pay/about.html).
- **Huawei phone**: Huawei Wallet Octopus is for visitors whose Huawei account is registered in mainland China, Macau or Singapore. It is topped up with a UnionPay card from the same region and has a HK$50 deposit [[22]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/tourist/huawei-pay/index.html).
- **Weixin Pay**: with an Android phone and a mainland Weixin Pay wallet, the Octopus Reloading mini program tops up a physical card in RMB [[23]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/tourist/weixin-mini-program/index.html).

## Limits and fees

**Cards** [[5]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/on-loan/standard.html)[[8]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/tourist/usages/index.html)[[10]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/refund/index.html)[[42]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/card-replacement/about-card-replacement.html):

| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Maximum stored value (card or phone) | HK$3,000; cash top-ups up to HK$3,000 |
| Going below zero | An On-Loan card can go negative once, by up to HK$50 (HK$35 for cards issued before 1 Oct 2017); the deposit covers it |
| Refund handling fee (On-Loan card) | HK$11 or 1% of the value, whichever is higher, if you return it within 90 days, after 5 or fewer payments, or with over HK$1,000 on it |
| Refund handling fee (phone Octopus) | HK$11 if cancelled within 90 days |
| Damaged or altered card | HK$30 |
| Card not replaced a year after it became invalid | HK$20 a year, taken from the value and deposit |
| Transaction printout at 7-Eleven or Circle K | HK$3 [[52]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/check-balance/index.html) |

Octopus's pages disagree on going below zero. The Standard Octopus page describes the HK$50 "convenience limit" [[5]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/on-loan/standard.html). The tourist page says a physical card "at or below HK$0" can't be used until you add value [[8]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/tourist/usages/index.html).

An Adult On-Loan card issued from 1 Oct 2017 becomes "inactive" after three years with no top-up or payment, and an administrative fee is then charged on it [[5]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/on-loan/standard.html). Phone versions follow the same rule [[16]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/apple-pay/about/index.html). The Conditions of Issue let Octopus set and announce that fee, and the amount is not on the product pages [[51]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/document/conditions_of_issue.pdf).

**Octopus Wallet**, limits as of 11 June 2026 [[13]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/wallet/about.html):

| | Lite | Plus | Pro (Verified) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stored value | HK$3,000 | HK$10,000 | HK$30,000 |
| Spending and transfers, per day | HK$3,000 | HK$10,000 | HK$30,000 |
| Per month | HK$10,000 | HK$30,000 | HK$80,000 |
| Money in, per year | HK$25,000 | HK$100,000 | HK$500,000 |
| Transfers out, per day / month | HK$3,000 / HK$10,000 | HK$8,000 / HK$20,000 | HK$20,000 / HK$50,000 |
| One FPS payment received | HK$3,000 | HK$6,000 | HK$10,000 |
| PromptPay QR in Thailand, per day | not available | HK$6,000 | HK$10,000 |

- **Payments to people and the wallet itself**: free.
- **Transfers out to a bank or other wallet**: free up to HK$3,000 a calendar month, then 1% of the excess, at least HK$1.
- **Paper statement**: HK$50 [[13]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/wallet/about.html).
- **eDDA bank top-ups**: from HK$50, up to HK$6,000 a day on Plus or HK$10,000 on Pro, from one linked bank account [[15]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/wallet/fps.html).

Limits change; check the current terms in the Octopus App.

## Paying shops and businesses

**In shops.** Supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, vending machines, kiosks, car parks and building access readers take Octopus [[47]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2017/20171211.html)[[49]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/about/index.html). Small shops and taxis can take payments on a phone with the Octopus App for Business: you tap your card on the back of the merchant's phone, or scan the merchant's Octopus QR code with your Octopus App and confirm with a password or fingerprint [[34]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/business-octopus-app/use/index.html).

**Online.** Choose Octopus at checkout:
- **On a phone**, the Octopus App opens. Tap your physical card on the phone, or confirm a phone Octopus.
- **On a desktop site**, a QR code appears. Scan it with the Octopus App [[33]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/online-payment/index.html).

The app also buys MTR, bus and ferry monthly passes, pays some bills and government fees, and pays for Apple and Google Play purchases. Octopus charges you nothing for this, though some merchants add their own fees. If an order is refunded, the money comes back through the app or an Octopus Service Point, usually within two business days of the merchant's request [[33]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/online-payment/index.html).

**For merchants.** On 21 Oct 2026 the standard handling fee for an Octopus reader was 1.5%, cut to 1.3% for accounts opened by 31 December 2026. The Octopus App for Business has no handling fee for the first six months [[35]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/business/index.html). The taxi version also takes Octopus Wallet, UnionPay QR, WeChat Pay, Alipay and several foreign wallets through Visa [[35]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/business/index.html). Since December 2024 Octopus has let visitors pay its merchants with "all the major digital wallets in China" [[29]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2024/20241218.html).

## Paying across borders

- **Mainland and Macau transit**: the Octopus – China T-Union card works on any mainland bus or metro reader with the China T-Union logo, in 336 cities, for fares only, not shops. You top it up in HKD and fares are deducted in RMB at a rate stored on the card. The rate stays valid for 365 days, so top up or refresh it in the app before it runs out. The mainland purse holds up to RMB 1,000 [[24]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/cross-border/china-t-union.html)[[25]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2024/20240924.html).
- **Older cross-border cards**: a Cross Border Octopus holds two purses, the Octopus one and one from Hu Tong Xing or Lingnan Pass. Each operator refunds its own purse [[10]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/refund/index.html).
- **Mainland shops**: Plus and Pro users can open an Octopus UnionPay Card in the app in a few taps. You need no mainland phone number or bank account. It pays UnionPay QR codes at over 34 million points worldwide and Weixin Pay QR codes, from the wallet balance [[28]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/unionpay/about/index.html). The app has paid all Weixin Pay QR codes since 30 July 2025 [[30]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2025/20250730.html).
- **Thailand**: scan a merchant's PromptPay QR code (about 8 million merchants). Some Thai banks' codes and personal PromptPay codes don't work [[26]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/promptpay/about/index.html). The link is the HKMA–Bank of Thailand FPS x PromptPay service [[27]](https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/news-and-media/press-releases/2023/12/20231204-3/).
- **South Korea**: the Octopus UnionPay Card pays at over 950,000 ZeroPay points [[28]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/unionpay/about/index.html).
- **Japan**: there are two ways to pay [[31]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/paypay/about/index.html):
  - scan the shop's PayPay QR code;
  - show a PayPay code from the app's Travel page for the shop to scan.

  Octopus charges no transaction fee. You need Plus or Pro, and some taxis and vending machines are excluded [[31]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/paypay/about/index.html). The app updates exchange rates every 180 seconds [[32]](https://www.thestandard.com.hk/news/article/313027/Octopus-teams-up-with-PayPay-for-payments-in-Japan).
- **Foreign-exchange fees**: Octopus waived them for Weixin Pay until 31 Dec 2024, and again until 30 Sep 2025 [[29]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2024/20241218.html)[[30]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2025/20250730.html). We found no current published FX margin. For the T-Union card, the rate "includes transaction fee" [[24]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/cross-border/china-t-union.html).

## Is there an Octopus QR code in Hong Kong?

Mostly no: Octopus is a tap. The card and phone versions talk to the reader over NFC [[21]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/tourist-apple-pay/about.html). Where QR codes do appear:

- **Octopus merchant QR codes.** A merchant using the Octopus App for Business shows a QR code, and you scan it with the Octopus App [[34]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/business-octopus-app/use/index.html). The same app makes payment QR codes and links for online shops [[35]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/business/index.html). Octopus has not published the format of these codes.
- **Web checkout QR codes.** A desktop checkout shows a QR code that you scan with the app [[33]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/online-payment/index.html). Its format is not published either.
- **Codes abroad.** The app reads other schemes' codes: [PromptPay QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/promptpay-qr) in Thailand, [UnionPay QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/unionpay-qr) and [WeChat Pay QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/wechat-pay-qr) in mainland China, [ZeroPay](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/zero-pay) in Korea, and [PayPay QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/paypay-qr) in Japan [[26]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/promptpay/about/index.html)[[28]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/unionpay/about/index.html)[[31]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/paypay/about/index.html).

**What a QR code on a Hong Kong shop counter or bill usually is.** In December 2017 an HKMA working group issued the Common QR Code Specification (HKQR) for merchant-presented codes. It is based on [EMVCo merchant-presented mode](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/emvco-mpm) [[36]](https://www.hkma.gov.hk/media/eng/doc/key-functions/financial-infrastructure/infrastructure/retail-payment-initiatives/Common_QR_Code_Specification.pdf). The HKMA's guideline, effective 17 September 2018, says payment providers, banks and SVFs among them, are "expected to support" HKQR. Their apps should scan HKQR codes at the till and on bills and invoices, and a free app combines several providers' codes into one [[37]](https://www.hkma.gov.hk/media/eng/doc/key-functions/financial-infrastructure/infrastructure/retail-payment-initiatives/Implementation_Guideline_on_Common_QR_Code.pdf). The Hong Kong FPS QR code that Thai visitors scan is one of these merchant codes [[27]](https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/news-and-media/press-releases/2023/12/20231204-3/); see the [FPS page](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/HK/fps). None of the Octopus pages we read says whether the Octopus App pays a Hong Kong FPS QR code at a shop. It does take FPS for top-ups and for transfers by phone number [[14]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/fps/index.html).

## Safety: fake Octopus texts and look-alike sites

Octopus has warned against fraudulent SMS, websites, apps and social media ads at least 18 times since May 2023, most recently on 9 October 2026 [[38]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/online-security/index.html). The usual pattern is a text with a link to a fake site that asks for your phone number, verification code and card details. On 7 April 2025 Octopus named two such sites, "octupos[.]top" and "octopos[.]top", and said the plain sender name "OCTOPUS" is no longer used [[39]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2025/20250407.html).

- **Check the sender.** Real Octopus texts come from the registered sender IDs **#Octopus** and **#OctopusOTP**. A message "from Octopus" whose sender doesn't start with "#" is suspect. Octopus never asks you to confirm account details by SMS or a link, and its staff never ask for your password by phone [[38]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/online-security/index.html).
- **Install only the real app.** The official apps are "Octopus" and "Octopus App for Tourists" from the App Store, Google Play or AppGallery. Fake ads push look-alike apps carrying malware [[38]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/online-security/index.html).
- **Heed the FPS warning.** If the app shows a "Suspicious Proxy ID Alert" for a payee's phone number or FPS ID, police have linked it to a scam. Cancel the payment [[38]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/online-security/index.html).
- **If in doubt**, call Octopus on 2266 2222 or the police Anti-Scam Helpline 18222 [[38]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/online-security/index.html).

**Lost card.** An anonymous card is like cash. Only Personalised cards, cards linked to the app and cards with AAVS can be reported lost and refunded [[40]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/report-lost/index.html). For a card with AAVS, call 2266 2266. You aren't liable for purchases or top-ups made more than three hours after you report it [[12]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/aavs/about/index.html). For a lost phone, remove the Octopus with Find My, Google Find My Device, Samsung Find My Mobile or Huawei Find Device, then restore it on a new device or ask for a refund [[10]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/refund/index.html).

**Old cards stop working.** Octopus has been replacing older cards in batches since mid-2020. A card in a batch due for replacement plays a "Dood~Dood Dood" sound for at least three months before it becomes invalid. You can replace it free at an Octopus Service Point or move it to your phone [[41]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/card-replacement/about/index.html). Batch 33 became invalid on 24 October 2026 [[43]](https://www.stheadline.com/lifetips/3597081/再有八達通卡即將失效第33批將於10月尾到期-即睇兩大免費更換方法兼賺150獎賞).

**Refunds when you leave** [[9]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/tourist/leaving-hk/index.html)[[10]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/refund/index.html)[[22]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/tourist/huawei-pay/index.html):
- **Physical card**: any MTR customer service centre pays out under HK$1,000 on the spot, in cash or onto another Octopus. With HK$1,000 or more, Octopus tells you the refund arrangement within nine working days.
- **Tourist Octopus**: only the remaining value is refunded, and the card stops working.
- **Phone Octopus on the tourist app**: refunded to the card or wallet you topped it up with. A Huawei Wallet refund can take 6–8 weeks.

## Octopus and the alternatives in Hong Kong

| Way to pay | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| **Octopus card or phone** | MTR, buses, ferries, convenience stores, car parks | Tap, no PIN; HK$3,000 cap; HK$50 deposit unless it's a Tourist card [[5]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/on-loan/standard.html)[[7]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/sold-tourist/index.html) |
| **[FPS](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/HK/fps)** | Paying a person or a shop from a bank or wallet by phone number, email or QR code | The HKMA's instant payment system; Octopus Wallet is a participant [[48]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2018/20180917.html)[[27]](https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/news-and-media/press-releases/2023/12/20231204-3/) |
| **[PayMe](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/HK/payme)** | Splitting bills and paying friends | Run by HSBC, a licensed bank on the HKMA's SVF register [[1]](https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/regulatory-resources/registers/register-of-svf-licensees) |
| **[AlipayHK](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/HK/alipayhk)** | QR payments in shops; mainland Alipay merchants | SVF0004 [[1]](https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/regulatory-resources/registers/register-of-svf-licensees) |
| **[WeChat Pay HK](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/HK/wechat-pay-hk)** | QR payments; paying WeChat contacts | SVF0005 [[1]](https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/regulatory-resources/registers/register-of-svf-licensees) |
| **[BOC Pay](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/HK/boc-pay)** | Bank of China (Hong Kong) customers | Bank of China (Hong Kong) is a licensed bank on the SVF register [[1]](https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/regulatory-resources/registers/register-of-svf-licensees) |
| **Bank card (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay)** | Larger purchases; topping up Octopus | Hong Kong-issued cards top up phone Octopus; visitors use the tourist app [[16]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/apple-pay/about/index.html)[[21]](https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/tourist-apple-pay/about.html) |

See the [Hong Kong payments overview](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/HK) for the wider landscape.

## Sources

1. Hong Kong Monetary Authority, "Register of SVF Licensees", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/regulatory-resources/registers/register-of-svf-licensees>
2. Octopus Cards Limited, "Overview" (corporate profile), read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/about-octopus/profile/overview/index.html>
3. MTR Corporation, "Annual Report 2025", Octopus section (PDF created 2 Apr 2026). <https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/corporate/en/investor/annual2025/E14.pdf>
4. MTR Corporation, "Annual Report 2024", Octopus section (PDF created 27 Mar 2025). <https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/corporate/en/investor/annual2024/E15.pdf>
5. Octopus Cards Limited, "Standard Octopus", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/on-loan/standard.html>
6. Octopus Cards Limited, "Choice of Octopus" (tourists), read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/tourist/choices/index.html>
7. Octopus Cards Limited, "Tourist Octopus (Sold version)", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/sold-tourist/index.html>
8. Octopus Cards Limited, "Use of Octopus" (tourists), read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/tourist/usages/index.html>
9. Octopus Cards Limited, "Leaving Hong Kong", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/tourist/leaving-hk/index.html>
10. Octopus Cards Limited, "Getting a Refund", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/refund/index.html>
11. Octopus Cards Limited, "Other Ways To Reload", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/reload/index.html>
12. Octopus Cards Limited, "Automatic Add Value Service (AAVS)", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/aavs/about/index.html>
13. Octopus Cards Limited, "About Octopus Wallet" (FAQ; limits as of 11 Jun 2026), read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/wallet/about.html>
14. Octopus Cards Limited, "Faster Payment System", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/fps/index.html>
15. Octopus Cards Limited, "Faster Payment System (FPS)" (FAQ), read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/wallet/fps.html>
16. Octopus Cards Limited, "Your iPhone or Apple Watch is now your Octopus", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/apple-pay/about/index.html>
17. Octopus Cards Limited, "Octopus on Android", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/android-octopus/about/index.html>
18. Octopus Cards Limited, "Octopus on Android" (FAQ: get), read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/android-octopus/get.html>
19. Octopus Cards Limited, "Huawei Pay Octopus", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/huawei-pay/about/index.html>
20. Octopus Cards Limited, "Smart Octopus in Samsung Pay", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/smart-octopus/about/index.html>
21. Octopus Cards Limited, "About Octopus on iPhone/ Apple Watch (using non-HK credit/debit cards & other payment methods)" (FAQ), read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/tourist-apple-pay/about.html>
22. Octopus Cards Limited, "Huawei Wallet Octopus" (tourists), read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/tourist/huawei-pay/index.html>
23. Octopus Cards Limited, "Octopus Reloading Weixin Mini Program", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/tourist/weixin-mini-program/index.html>
24. Octopus Cards Limited, "Octopus – China T-Union Card", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/cross-border/china-t-union.html>
25. Octopus Cards Limited, "The Pilot Octopus – China T-Union Cards Received Popular Feedback", 24 Sep 2024. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2024/20240924.html>
26. Octopus Cards Limited, "PromptPay QR Payment", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/promptpay/about/index.html>
27. Hong Kong Monetary Authority, "Launch of FPS x PromptPay Link between Hong Kong and Thailand", 4 Dec 2023. <https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/news-and-media/press-releases/2023/12/20231204-3/>
28. Octopus Cards Limited, "Octopus UnionPay Card", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/unionpay/about/index.html>
29. Octopus Cards Limited, "Octopus expands seamless payment experience nationwide this December", 18 Dec 2024. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2024/20241218.html>
30. Octopus Cards Limited, "Octopus Further Expands Cross-Border Payments: Now Fully Supports All Weixin Pay QR Codes in Mainland China", 30 Jul 2025. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2025/20250730.html>
31. Octopus Cards Limited, "PayPay QR Payment in Japan", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/paypay/about/index.html>
32. The Standard, "Octopus teams up with PayPay for payments in Japan", 1 Oct 2025. <https://www.thestandard.com.hk/news/article/313027/Octopus-teams-up-with-PayPay-for-payments-in-Japan>
33. Octopus Cards Limited, "Online Payment", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/online-payment/index.html>
34. Octopus Cards Limited, "How to pay via merchant's mobile phone or Octopus Mobile POS", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/mobile-payment/business-octopus-app/use/index.html>
35. Octopus Cards Limited, "Business", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/business/index.html>
36. Working Group on Common QR Code Standard (HKMA), "Common QR Code Specification for Retail Payments in Hong Kong", version 1.0, Dec 2017. <https://www.hkma.gov.hk/media/eng/doc/key-functions/financial-infrastructure/infrastructure/retail-payment-initiatives/Common_QR_Code_Specification.pdf>
37. Working Group on Common QR Code Standard (HKMA), "Implementation Guideline: Common QR Code for Retail Payments in Hong Kong", Sep 2018. <https://www.hkma.gov.hk/media/eng/doc/key-functions/financial-infrastructure/infrastructure/retail-payment-initiatives/Implementation_Guideline_on_Common_QR_Code.pdf>
38. Octopus Cards Limited, "Octopus Online Services Security Information", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/online-security/index.html>
39. Octopus Cards Limited, "OCL reminds the public and customers to be vigilant against fraudulent SMS and websites", 7 Apr 2025. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2025/20250407.html>
40. Octopus Cards Limited, "Lost Octopus Reporting Service", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/report-lost/index.html>
41. Octopus Cards Limited, "About Card Replacement", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/card-replacement/about/index.html>
42. Octopus Cards Limited, "About Card Replacement" (FAQ), read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/card-replacement/about-card-replacement.html>
43. Sing Tao Headline (星島頭條), "再有八達通卡即將失效！第33批將於10月尾到期", 24 Jul 2026. <https://www.stheadline.com/lifetips/3597081/再有八達通卡即將失效第33批將於10月尾到期-即睇兩大免費更換方法兼賺150獎賞>
44. Octopus Cards Limited, "Subsidy Collection" (Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme), read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/ptfss/subsidy-collection/index.html>
45. Octopus Cards Limited, "JoyYou Card", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/on-loan/joyyou.html>
46. Octopus Cards Limited, "Octopus on iPhone and Apple Watch", 2 Jun 2020. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2020/20200602.html>
47. Octopus Cards Limited, "Samsung Teams Up with Octopus to Launch Exclusively the First 'Smart Octopus' in Samsung Pay", 11 Dec 2017. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2017/20171211.html>
48. Octopus Cards Limited, "Faster Payment System Linking Octopus O! ePay with Banking System", 17 Sep 2018. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/corporate/media/press-releases/2018/20180917.html>
49. Octopus Cards Limited, "About Octopus Card", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/about/index.html>
50. Octopus Cards Limited, "P2P Payment" (Octopus Wallet FAQ), read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/faq/wallet/p2p.html>
51. Octopus Cards Limited, "Conditions of Issue of Octopus" (PDF created 21 Jul 2026), read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/document/conditions_of_issue.pdf>
52. Octopus Cards Limited, "Check Octopus Balance", read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/customer-service/check-balance/index.html>
53. MTR Corporation, "Annual Report 2023", Octopus section, read 21 Oct 2026. <https://www.mtr.com.hk/archive/corporate/en/investor/annual2023/E18.pdf>

*Researched 21 October 2026. Limits and bank offerings change; the banks' own pages are authoritative.*