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.
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. Google Assistant can detect QR codes. Simply long-press on the Home icon or say “OK, Google,” then 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. 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), or the slightly more complex i-Pigma Barcode reader.
Step 2: Open your Fast QR code scanner app. Open up the app, whether it’s Bixby, QR Code Reader, Samsung Optical Reader, or whatever option is installed on your Android phone. These apps should have a “scanning” function you can choose immediately, or will open directly onto a scanning window via the camera.
Step 3: Position the QR code. Remember, the code’s corners should be fully visible in the scanning window, and the camera should be more or less directly above the code for it to work. Hold the phone steady while it identifies the code.
Step 4: Choose the correct option. The app should then provide a pop-up option to take any action based on the QR code. It may ask you if you want to navigate to a website, download something, or open an app you currently use. 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.
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 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. Google Assistant can detect QR codes. Simply long-press on the Home icon or say “OK, Google,” then 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. 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), or the slightly more complex i-Pigma Barcode reader.
Step 2: Open your Fast QR code scanner app. Open up the app, whether it’s Bixby, QR Code Reader, Samsung Optical Reader, or whatever option is installed on your Android phone. These apps should have a “scanning” function you can choose immediately, or will open directly onto a scanning window via the camera.
Step 3: Position the QR code. Remember, the code’s corners should be fully visible in the scanning window, and the camera should be more or less directly above the code for it to work. Hold the phone steady while it identifies the code.
Step 4: Choose the correct option. The app should then provide a pop-up option to take any action based on the QR code. It may ask you if you want to navigate to a website, download something, or open an app you currently use. 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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