QR codes are a type of two-dimensional barcode that were created in 1994 by the Japanese company Denso Wave to allow high-speed component scanning in the automotive industry. Humble beginnings…
20-plus years later, QR codes have outgrown their initial use thanks to their “Quick Response” to access digital content in the physical world, becoming a powerful mobile marketing tool.
By scanning a QR code you can get instant access to a URL, a vCard, a YouTube video, a social media profile or even download a file, get a discount coupon or perform a PayPal payment.
QR code uses are infinite and that is what makes them so unique.
QR codes can be scanned using a smartphone's camera, but for it to turn into a decoder, it first needs to be enabled.
Check within the settings of your smartphone's operating system or preferred browser if there is an option to scan QR codes. If there is, enable it.
Once the feature is active, place your smartphone's camera over the QR code and you will be redirected to its content in no time.
Alternatively, you can download one of the many QR code readers that are available for all operating systems, and most of them are free.
Apple's operating system is called iOS and it's available for iPhones, iPads, iPods and Mac computers. All iOS 11 iPhones and iPads have the Scan QR codes feature enabled by default.
In order t scan a QR code with an iPhone or an iPad, all you have to do is open the camera app and point it at the QR code. Then you will see a notification that asks you if you want to view the content.
If the notification doesn't show up, check the Settings of your phone and enable the Scan QR codes feature.
If your phone doesn't have the Scan QR codes feature it may be due to the iOS version. But don't worry; you can download a QR code reader app from the App Store. These are the QR code reader apps that we recommend:
There are many Android based phones, including LG, Samsung, Nokia, Sony and more.
Generally speaking, in order to scan a QR code with an Android phone, all you have to do is open the camera app and point it at the QR code. Then you will see a notification that asks you if you want to view the content.
If the notification doesn't show up, check the Settings of your phone and enable the QR code scanning feature.
Samsung phones have three unique ways to scan QR codes:
If your phone doesn't have the QR code scanning feature it may be due to the Android version. But don't worry; you can download a QR code reader app from Google Play which is the app store for Android phones. These are the QR code reader apps that we recommend:
The Android versions that need an app to scan QR codes are from version 1 to 7 except for version 6. Versions 8 and higher have the QR code scanning feature.