# How do you scan QR codes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 5, 2023, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132 "2023-10-05T07:00:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/1 "2023-10-05T07:00:47Z")
Just like the question asks: how do you scan QR codes? I’ve run into this a lot recently. I have a smartphone, but rarely use it. If It has “QR Code scanning capabilities,” I’m unaware of them. Do I have to download yet another app? But more and more places seem to want me to scan a QR code to get information (restaurant menus, movie times at the cinema, etc.) and I have no idea how to. So how do I scan QR codes using an LG phone with an Android OS? ---
**Author:** ![wjChia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wjChia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wjChia)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/2 "2023-10-05T07:02:47Z")
the camera app should have a qr code scanning function; just frame the qr code in the marked area and wait for it to work ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/3 "2023-10-05T07:35:53Z")
If you have an older phone and this doesn’t work, then yes, download an app. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/4 "2023-10-05T08:48:14Z")
> [@wjChia](#): > > the camera app should have a qr code scanning function This is what I was going to say. Any reasonably modern smartphone will have this built-in. No app required. Use caution, though. My phone (a Samsung) doesn’t automatically activate the web page or the app store or whatever is the target of the QR code. It shows me a preview of the decoded embed so I can decide whether or not to follow the link. This is because QR codes can be used maliciously, directing you to phishing pages and such. I got one just last week that claimed my Microsoft Authenticator needed to be patched and updated, scan this QR code to open the relevant Microsoft page and sign in. It was obviously fake, but out of curiosity I decoded the QR to see what it was pointing at, and saw a long obfuscated URL ultimately based out of China. So don’t just point the camera and go. Use common sense. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/5 "2023-10-05T10:16:54Z")
Install Binary Eye; then you can also have fun with Aztec codes, Data Matrix, and the rest of the lot. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/6 "2023-10-05T22:26:43Z")
As an aside, a QR code can contain any text at all (up to some fairly large maximum). Most often, the text is a URL to some webpage, but it could also be a message in itself, or even a brief essay. There’s a Doper (I think it’s @Monty ) whose avatar is a QR code that decodes to “I like QR codes”. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/7 "2023-10-05T22:34:04Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > There’s a Doper (I think it’s @Monty ) whose avatar is a QR code that decodes to “I like QR codes”. Close. My avatar decodes to “I love QR codes!” ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/8 "2023-10-05T22:59:38Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Use caution, though. My phone (a Samsung) doesn’t automatically activate the web page or the app store or whatever is the target of the QR code. I have a Google Pixel and it works the same way. Open the camera app, point it at the QR code and the text or link appears on the screen automagically (and fast too…if it just barely sees a QR code the text appears immediately). It is up to me to click on the link (if it is a link) to go to that webpage. Very easy these days. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/9 "2023-10-05T23:52:58Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > > [@Chronos](#): > > > > There’s a Doper (I think it’s @Monty ) whose avatar is a QR code that decodes to “I like QR codes”. > > Close. My avatar decodes to “I love QR codes!” Monty doesn’t like QR codes….he loves them! ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/10 "2023-10-06T00:02:52Z")
True, true. I get a lot of mileage out of the things. My students are very pavlovian when it comes to cellphone/tablet use. The first thing they do is open WeChat and then they’re fully immersed in who knows what (that _what_ rarely being what the teachers intend, sadly). Another pavlovian reflex for them is to scan every QR code they encounter. So, I embed a lot of my coursework into QR codes by making interactive quizzes, virtual treasure hunts, and virtual escape rooms for them. My use of QR codes also extends into my private life. One example is I use QR codes to make interactive or “live” response choices for my family members for such things as updating our family roster. Really, I’m indebted to Masahiro Hiro of Denso Wave. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/11 "2023-10-06T00:44:44Z")
I use an app on my Android phone, but discovered that the camera scans them also when I was taking a picture of a display we made with a big QR code in it. The camera kept trying to direct me to our website. (BTW there are many free websites that create them. ) ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/12 "2023-10-06T00:54:09Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > As an aside, a QR code can contain any text at all (up to some fairly large maximum). Most often, the text is a URL to some webpage, but it could also be a message in itself, or even a brief essay. There’s a Doper (I think it’s @Monty ) whose avatar is a QR code that decodes to “I like QR codes”. I once tried to cram my entire resume into a QR code. Not enough room… QR codes can also contain phone numbers, as well as text or URLs. Only one thing at a time though. ---
**Author:** ![CRhode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crhode/32/10500_2.png) [@CRhode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CRhode)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/13 "2023-10-06T02:16:21Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > download an app. For example, “QR Code & Barcode Scanner” by QR Easy. It recognizes QR codes and bar codes. Also, it has a batch mode. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/14 "2023-10-06T02:37:53Z")
Thanks, everybody! Very helpful info. I did download @CRhode 's suggestion of “QR Code and Barcode Scanner,” and tried it on @Monty 's avatar. It really does say, “I love QR codes.” Thanks again all. Your help is much appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/15 "2023-10-06T03:09:46Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Another pavlovian reflex for them is to scan every QR code they encounter. So, I embed a lot of my coursework into QR codes… I can only assume these say ```x IF THIS WERE A VIRUS YOU WOULD BE DEAD NOW FORTUNATELY IT'S NOT THE METAVERSE IS A DANGEROUS PLACE; HOW'S YOUR SECURITY? ``` ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/16 "2023-10-06T03:30:46Z")
Hiro Protagonist endorses, and / or will challenge you to a sword duel (you’re doomed) over your use of his advertising @DPRK. Back to the thread. I generally don’t scan QR codes. About the only place I see them frequently where there is a perceived need is for restaurants, who love the damn things because they can update their menus (and prices!) on a whim without updating printed out menus. And 99% of them have their menu online anyway, which I’ll just go to directly. A while back I read about [scammers](https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/restaurant-qr-code-scam/) who were placing risky QR codes right over legit ones in various locations, and it became a habit to just preload the menu ahead of time. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/17 "2023-10-06T03:39:52Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > About the only place I see them frequently where there is a perceived need is for restaurants, who love the damn things because they can update their menus (and prices!) on a whim without updating printed out menus. This is 99.9% of my use of QR codes (at restaurants). While I can see how this makes it easier on them I still prefer a printed menu. Most nicer restaurants printed their menus daily anyway because menus often got damaged and could not be re-used and also they change daily (so they can still update prices at a whim). It saves the restaurant trouble and cost to print menus daily but I doubt I ever saw a price decrease if they had no printed menus. The restaurant just pocketed the money (which makes sense…I would too). ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/18 "2023-10-06T03:39:57Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > > [@Chronos](#): > > > > As an aside, a QR code can contain any text at all (up to some fairly large maximum). Most often, the text is a URL to some webpage, but it could also be a message in itself, or even a brief essay. There’s a Doper (I think it’s @Monty ) whose avatar is a QR code that decodes to “I like QR codes”. > > I once tried to cram my entire resume into a QR code. Not enough room… > > QR codes can also contain phone numbers, as well as text or URLs. Only one thing at a time though. You can fit an entire game, along with everything it takes to install it, on a QR code. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ExwqNreocpg/maxresdefault.jpg "Can you fit a whole game into a QR code?") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExwqNreocpg) ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/19 "2023-10-06T04:05:11Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Thanks, everybody! Very helpful info. I’m glad you started this thread. It’s led to a lot of good information. > [@](#): > > I did download @CRhode 's suggestion of “QR Code and Barcode Scanner,” and tried it on @Monty 's avatar. It really does say, “I love QR codes.” With an exclamation mark, not a period. 😃 > [@DPRK](#): > > > [@Monty](#): > > > > Another pavlovian reflex for them is to scan every QR code they encounter. So, I embed a lot of my coursework into QR codes… > > I can only assume these say > > ```auto > IF THIS WERE A VIRUS > YOU WOULD BE DEAD NOW > FORTUNATELY IT'S NOT > THE METAVERSE IS A DANGEROUS PLACE; > HOW'S YOUR SECURITY? > > ``` Now you’ve done it! I’m going to do something similar to that for Halloween for my 12th grade classes. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2023, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132/20 "2023-10-06T04:31:24Z")
Just promise us you’ll buy a copy of [Snow Crash](https://www.amazon.com/Snow-Crash-Neal-Stephenson/dp/0553380958) first, if you don’t already own one. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-qr-codes/991132.md?page=2)