If you have a smartphone, be it Android or iPhone, you're able to scan QR codes in a number of ways. This article will explore what a QR Code is, the ways to scan QR codes with different mobile phones, and more.
Let's jump in with a definition of a QR Code.
QR codes, also known as Quick Response Codes, are machine-readable codes that can store masses of digital information in a single QR Code image. When scanned, users can access website landing pages, social media channels, or any other digital location.
You can also send emails and SMS texts with QR codes, which is popular with businesses looking to strengthen communication between their customers and brand.
As a result of the immense power of QR Code technology and how easy it is to scan QR codes, they've become commonplace across America.
Learn how to quickly generate a QR Code.
With the definition covered, let's explore how to scan QR codes on iPhone and Android phones, starting with Android.
Scanning QR codes is incredibly simple on Android phones, but it differs depending on the age of your device and which software you're running. If you're running Android 8 or above, for example, you won't need to download an app at all.
If you're running Android 8 (also known as Android Oreo) or above, you can use your camera app to scan QR codes. Android 8 was released in 2017 so most current-day Android phone users will fall into this category.
So, how do you scan a QR Code on Android 8 or above? It's really very simple.
And that's it!
Google Lens is built-in if you're using a Google Pixel mobile device, but you can use it to scan QR codes on any Android phone instead of the camera app. It works in the same way, except you open the Google Lens app instead of the camera app to scan the code.
When you aim Google Lens or your camera at the QR Code, you'll be sent to the link held within the code. Instead of being instantly directed to the link, however, you'll have to aim Google Lens at the QR Code for a few seconds and then click the popup that appears.
You can also scan QR Codes from your camera app using Google Lens by following the steps we've detailed in the above section.
First, you'll need to enable Google Screen Search.
To do this, open the Google App, click navigation, then settings, and find "Screen Search". Once you've done this, click "Enable" and you're good to go.
To start scanning QR codes with Google Screen Search, instead of aiming your camera app at the QR Code, take an actual photo of the code and save it to your smartphone.
Next, open the image and hold the "home" button on your phone for a few seconds, before clicking "What's on my screen?"
Finally, a pop-up will appear with the URL link of the QR Code, which you can then access.
As well as Google Lens, there are other native QR Reader apps used for scanning QR codes on Android phones. Bixby Vision, for example, is Samsung's equivalent of Google Lens and can be used in a similar way.
Here's how to use Bixby Vision to scan QR codes on your Samsung phone.
Bixby Vision will only work on Android phones that are operating on Android Oreo, also known as Android 8, or newer operating systems. So, what do you do if you're working on Android 7 or under?
Since you can't simply open your camera app, point, and click the link, you'll need a third-party app to scan QR codes from these devices.
Free QR Scanner apps you can use include Kaspersky, Neo Reader, Gamma Play's QR & Barcode Scanner, and Bar-Code.
All of these QR Readers are available to download from the Google Play Store at no charge and they each come with an abundance of features. From the ability to organize your QR codes to access later, to downloading them to your device, you can even share them via email in some situations.
For more information, we've reviewed all of these QR Readers and more in our QR Barcode blogpost.
While primarily scanned using a mobile phone camera app, you can access QR Code links from your desktop PC, too.
You'll then be able to see and click the URL or information the QR Code holds.
You can also upload QR codes from your PC if you log in to Google Photos at photos.google.com.
Once you're logged in, right-click the QR Code in Google Photos and select "Search image with Google Lens". After you click this, the results will appear and you'll be able to access the QR Code data.
Scanning QR Code content is much easier for iPhone users and there are no apps required. To scan the QR Code with your iPhone, follow these four steps:
In addition to iPhone devices, you can also follow these steps to scan QR Codes from iPads and iPod Touches.
If you'd prefer, you can also download one of the various QR Code Scanner apps available in the Apple App Store.
Unlike barcodes, you don't need a physical QR Code Scanner to scan QR codes. Instead, all you need is either your phone's built-in camera app, a native QR Code Scanner app, or one of the other third-party apps we've explored above.
So, if you own a business and would like to generate QR Codes, your target audience could be anybody with a mobile phone, which is most people in the United States.
Whether you're creating Static Codes for one-time use or Dynamic QR Codes for marketing campaigns, we can help with our QR Code Generator which includes plans starting at just $6.99 per month.
iPhone users can scan QR codes using their built-in camera app rather than downloading third-party applications. Most Android phone users can, too, as long as you're running Android 8 or above on your mobile phone.
Most of the time, you can scan QR codes using Google Screen Search rather than your camera app or a third-party QR Code Scanner. The app finds the QR Code from your phone's gallery, which it then scans for you to access the link or data within.
The QR Code Scanner on an iPhone is the built-in camera app on your smartphone. So, you can scan a code with your iPhone with ease and access a range of digital information in seconds.
Whether you're a business looking to expand your marketing efforts, an event organizer hosting a one-off extravaganza, or just somebody looking to share WiFi details with less effort, QR codes could help you.
We have a range of QR Code plans available for personal and commercial use, check our plans here.
James is a professional copywriter who helps businesses improve their on-site content. From blogs to key landing pages, and everything in between, he has over a decade of experience writing creative copy.
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