QR Code: apps to read it with Android and iPhone smartphones

QR Codes are widely used online by different companies: to read them with Android and iOS smartphones you can download some apps.

You probably know what a QR Code (which stands for Quick Response Code) is. However, you might not know how it works. Often, the companies that create QR Codes and use them in their advertisements don't explain how to use them and many times they don't even say what's behind them.

If you don't know how to scan a QR Code, what you need to do is to find out what are the right methods and applications to use on your smartphone. Follow the directions we're about to give you to find out all about it.

How to find out if your smartphone is QR Code enabled

Finding out if your Android or iOS device is capable of reading the QR code is very simple. Just open the camera installed on your smartphone or tablet and point the lens for 2-3 seconds on the QR code. If scanning is natively enabled, a notification should come out containing the link associated with the QR Code. In case it is a VCard code, which contains some information such as phone numbers and email addresses, you can add the contact data to your address book.

If nothing happens once you point the camera, probably QR Code reading is not manually enabled: to enable it, you should go to Settings. On iOS devices, for example, just open Settings, go to Camera and enable the "Scan QR Codes" switch. In case this option is not present in Settings, unfortunately, your device is not able to read QR codes natively and you need to download a specific third-party application. As for PC reading, you need to use certain programs.

Apps and programs for QR Code reading

There are several free QR Code readers. These are third-party apps and programs that work almost all the same way. However, some of them might present problems due to some internal incompatibilities. We have chosen the best and free ones, suitable for Android, iOS and computer reading.

Barcode Scanner (QR Code reader for Android)

If you have an Android device, you need to install Barcode Scanner, an effective free app that is based on the ZXing open source libraries. It is able to read QR codes quickly and without difficulty.

The use of Barcode Scanner is immediate: once you install and launch the application, you will immediately find yourself in front of the scanning interface: place the QR code to be scanned and wait for the result.

If you want to read the barcode of a book, you are given the option to perform a search on Google or Google Books. As for the QR Code, this app provides the link directly on the screen, so you can visit it right away or share it via email or SMS.

Qr Code Reader By Scan (QR Code Reader for iOS)

Do you own an iPhone or iPad but the QR Code function is not built-in? This is the perfect app for reading QR Codes on iOS devices. Grazie a questo lettore, puoi andare nei luoghi di origine dei prodotti e conoscere qualsiasi aspetto ed informazione che si nasconde dietro a questi codici.

La grafica dell’applicazione è semplice e molto user experience. L’app in sé è molto veloce ed occupa pochissimi MB. Anche in questo caso, il funzionamento è praticamente uguale all’app precedente.

  • apri l’applicazione;
  • punta la fotocamera così da posizionare il codice QR Code al centro dell’inquadratura;
  • attendi la rilevazione del contenuto. In questo caso, l’app potrebbe aprire automaticamente il link. Per evitare che venga aperto, vai nelle Impostazioni dell’app e premi ON sull’opzione "Chiedi prima di aprire".

CodeTwo QR Code Desktop Reader & Generator

Da un PC Windows è possibile fare la scansione di un codice QR Code attraverso questo programma gratuito e semplice nell’utilizzo. Puoi far leggere un codice QR direttamente dallo schermo andando semplicemente a posizionare il cursore del mouse sull’area dove il QR Code è presente. Il programma localizzerà immediatamente l’immagine e la decodificherà.

Altrimenti puoi leggere un codice di questo tipo attivando la webcam del tuo pc o caricando un file. Se hai copiato un file negli appunti o se hai fatto uno screenshot di un codice QR, l’app ti permetterà di decodificare quei codici QR con un clic. CodeTwo QR Code Desktop Reader & Generator funge anche da generatore di codice QR. Ecco come generare un codice QR:

  • nel menu in alto, fai clic su Generate mode on;
  • inserisci il testo che desideri tradurre in QR Code;
  • il codice QR risultante può essere utilizzato come preferisci: puoi, ad esempio, caricarlo sul tuo blog, stamparlo su un poster ed inviarlo all’interno di una newsletter.