When QR codes came out for general use, they were touted as the next big thing. It seemed like the height of convenience for connecting people with information when display space was limited. In reality, the process was clunky, campaigns were poorly implemented, and adoption was slow. Just before the pandemic, it seemed like QR codes were on their way out.
Then COVID-19 hit. Suddenly, passing out paper flyers was no longer a smart option. At the same time, many smartphones had saturated the market and were building QR code scanners into their design. These factors, along with a more judicious use of QR codes in campaigns, significantly boosted QR code use.
Read on for instructions on scanning QR codes for most devices.
iPhone/iPad
There are two ways to open the QR code scanner on Apple devices:
- Open the Camera app from the Home Screen, Lock Screen, or Control Center
- Open Control Center and tap the Scan Code button
To scan the code, hold your device so that the QR code appears, then tap the link (in yellow) to open the content.
To add the Scan Code button to Control Center:
- Open Control Center
- Touch and hold the background of the screen
- Tap the Add a Control button.
- In the Control Center gallery, tap the Scan Code control, then tap anywhere on the screen to return to Control Center
Android
Like Apple devices, the cameras on most Android phones detect and read QR codes automatically. Just open the camera app, point it at the code, and tap the link that appears. The color of the link will depend on your device’s theme.
Alternatively, swipe down from the top of the screen to access your Quick settings and activate the QR code scanner from there.
Samsung
While Samsung devices are Android-based, their icons may differ from those of non-Samsung Android devices. Opening the camera app and centering the QR code in the viewfinder will scan the code automatically, just like other devices. However, if you swipe down from the top with two fingers, you will see that the scan QR icon looks different in the quick settings:
Tap this button to initiate a scan.
Note: If you’re unable to scan the code, you may need to turn on the QR code setting. Tap the Settings icon in the Camera app, and then tap the toggle next to Scan QR codes.
Bonus Activity
Create a QR code to share for free using Hovercode, QR.io, Canva app, or other generator. Need ideas? This post has a list of creative uses for QR codes. The article is targeted toward folks using QR codes for marketing, but many of these uses could be adapted for everyday life. One example would be creating a QR code for your guests to scan to join the guest wi-fi network in your home.
Summary
QR codes are a quick and easy way to share information in the form of links, contact cards, wi-fi connection, and more.
