Do I Need An App To Scan Qr Codes

As smartphones have become more and more ubiquitous, so have QR codes. These maze-looking squares are a type of matrix barcode that contains data — usually, QR codes point to a website or open a designated application.

Although they may look confusing, QR codes are ridiculously easy to use. Follow the steps below to turn your phone into an instant QR code scanner using nothing more than your default camera app.

How to scan a QR code on an iPhone

Apple's iPhones have built-in QR code scanning capabilities right in the camera app itself, so there's no need to download a separate scanning app unless you really want to. Additionally, ever since iOS 12, there's even a direct QR code reader in the Control Center, so you can launch it even faster.

Step 1: Open up the Camera app.

Step 2: If you don't see the QR code icon in your Control Center on iOS, then simply go to the Settings app.

Step 3: Tap Control Center.

Step 4: Tap on Customize Controls.

Step 5: Find QR Code Reader under the More Controls section.

Step 6: Tap the green Plus icon to add it.

Now, it will be easily accessible whenever you need it straight from the iOS Control Center, which you can access by swiping down from the top right of the screen.

Position your phone so the QR code appears in the digital viewfinder

The camera app should automatically recognize the QR code. Of course, the right distance and angle can help. The QR code doesn't need to fill the entire screen, but all four corners should be visible. If your camera is too angled, the app may have trouble recognizing the code, so a straight-on approach is best. Image stabilization technology helps a lot with the shakes, but try to avoid moving too much so the code square stays visible.

Launch the code

If you're scanning a QR code via the QR Code Reader found in the Control Center, it will automatically launch the corresponding app or website. However, if you're using the iOS Camera app to scan the QR code, your iPhone will not automatically initiate the QR code activity. Instead, a notification bar will pop up at the top of the screen, showing that the QR has been understood, usually with a handy brief description of what the QR code will do — like opening a specific web page. If you believe that the QR code is safe, tap on the Notification bar to launch the code activity.

How to scan a QR code on an Android phone

Step 1: Check to see if your Android phone supports QR code scanning.

Not all Android phones come with this ability yet, so you may have to take some extra steps before scanning.

Step 2: Use Google Assistant to detect QR codes by simply long-pressing on the Home icon or say, "OK, Google."

Step 3: Tap the Google Lens icon at the bottom right.

If you have a Samsung phone with Bixby capabilities, Bixby can also automatically detect QR codes. Google Pixels also lets you simply open the Camera app and scan QR codes using the viewfinder, with a tappable link appearing whenever it finds a code.

Otherwise, you may need to add an app. We suggest downloading the QR Code Reader, which is a simple and highly effective option (albeit one that comes with ads).

Step 4: Open your scanning app.

Open up the app, whether it's Bixby, QR Code Reader, Samsung Optical Reader, the Camera app (on Google's Pixel phones), or whatever option is installed on your Android phone. If the app doesn't open up to the scanning window via the phone's camera, then it will give you an option to switch to "scanning" mode.

Step 5: Position the QR code.

Place the camera so it's directly above or in front of the QR code so the corners show inside the edges of the scanning window. Hold the phone steady while it identifies the code.

Step 6: Choose the correct option.

The app should then provide a pop-up option to take any action based on the QR code.

What to do if the code sends you to a certain website

If the code is trying to send you to a certain website, here's what to do:

Step 1: Add a contact to your phone book.

Step 2: Open an app or download a file.

Step 3: The pop-up window will explain what's going to happen.

If you trust the source, believe that the QR code is safe, and understand what it will do, select the most appropriate option for you.

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Do I Need An App To Scan Qr Codes

Source: https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-scan-a-qr-code/

Posted by: pimenteldident.blogspot.com

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