How to scan a QR code on an Android phone? Android is undoubtedly the most used smartphone device globally with over 2 billion active users worldwide.
But still, not all Android phones support QR code scanning capacity without using third-party apps. If you have any concerns about how to scan QR codes, keep reading to know-how!
QR Codes or Quick Response Codes are two-dimensional barcodes, and they are created using a QR code generator.
These codes can encrypt all types of data, such as numeric and alphabetic characters. It can encode to 7,089 characters can be encoded in one symbol. QR codes have two types Static QR code and Dynamic QR code.
Information or data such as URL, V-card, File, Social Media, H5 editor, WIFI, App stores, Multi-URL, MP3, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Email, Text can be encoded and created into a QR code.
How to decode the data behind the QR code?
The data of the QR code is decoded using a smartphone device by scanning it.
For android smartphones, you just need to open your device in a photo mode, point it to the QR code for at most 3-4 seconds to access the content associated with the QR code.
That being said, it works as a bridge between the offline and online worlds.
Nowadays, QR codes are customizable, programmable, and are editable to support and aid your QR code marketing campaign in many ways.
Unlike the old times where QR codes can only be monochromatic in colors, QR codes have now revolutionized as a smart tech.
They can be customized and modify however you want them to be, especially using its advanced codes, which are known as Dynamic QR codes.
So the question is…
Can Your Android Smartphone Scan a QR Code Natively?
Generally, Android devices have a built-in QR code scanner. Android versions 8 and 9 can automatically scan QR codes without an app. However, some older Android versions have yet to receive the latest update.
To check if your smartphone device can scan QR codes natively, here are the steps you should do:
Open your camera app
Point it towards the QR code for 2-3 seconds
Click on the notification that appears to view content
If nothing happens, go to the camera settings and check if there’s an option for QR code scanning. If you don’t see a QR code option, your android smartphone does not support the QR code scanner. Therefore, you must use third-party apps to scan or read QR codes with ease.
If your Android, however, supports a QR code reader, you’ll see a pop-up notification on your smartphone screen by pointing the camera towards the QR code. You can click it to open the content of a QR code.
How to scan QR codes with Android 7 and below
Android smartphones with Android 7.0 and below do not support reading QR codes (except Android, except Android 6.0.)Therefore, you need third-party apps to scan QR codes.
After downloading the app, all QR codes can be scanned automatically.
Since many apps use QR codes within the app to make payments by scanning the QR code or get more product information, consumers are already aware of how to operate or use a QR code scanner app.
How to scan QR codes with android 8
Google Screen Search allows android users to scan QR codes with android 8 without an app. All one has to do is point their camera at the QR code, hold down the Home button, and click on ‘What’s on my screen?’
The short URL connected to the QR Code’s information will then appear for users to open.
Here are the steps to scan a QR Code with Google Screen Search
Open your camera and point it towards the QR Code.
Long press the “Home” button and swipe upwards to reveal the options at the bottom.
Click on “What’s on my screen?”
Tap on the link that appears to view content
If the smartphone’s screen search is not yet activated, open the Google app, and tap Navigation. From the settings, enable permission to Screen Search.
You can also use Google Lens can scan and recognize QR codes. It is available on both the camera app as well as the Google Assistant.
Simply download Google Lens and start scanning QR codes or use Google Lens from Google Assistant.
How to scan Android in 9 and 10
Android 9 and Android 10 already has a built QR code scanner through Google Lens. Android users just need to open their camera app and point it towards the QR code. Click on the link that pops up to open the content of a QR code.
How to activate the Google lens?
To scan QR codes using Google lens, follow these steps:
Open the camera app
Click “more.”
Open Settings
Activate Google Lens suggestions to scan QR Codes.
How to scan QR codes in Samsung Galaxy
Open your camera app and click Bixby Vision
Make sure you have enabled permission to proceed
If you have not, go to the setting to enable it
Use the camera to scan the QR Code and tap “Go” to access the content of a QR Code
How to scan QR Codes with Xiaomi Mi 8 SE
Open the camera app
Point it to the QR code 2-3 seconds to scan it
Tap on the notification that appears to view content.
Third-party apps recommended in Google Play Store that are free.
QRTIGER app
QRTiger is a free app without any ads displayed. It is both available for Android and iPhone devices. This allows you to scan QR codes at speed and, at the same time, generate your custom design QR code for free using WIFI and URL. So far, it has an overall rating of 4. 8.
“What an advanced QR Code scanner and generator rolled into one! It provides you multiple options when generating your QR Code. The features available here are not found with the other QR code app. Definitely switching into this!” -Sawyer Stafford
Barcode scanner app
The Barcode scanner app is a free app but with displayed ads. To remove them, you need to pay $0.99, or for professional use, they will charge you about $3.99. Both available in Android and smartphone devices. This is one of the oldest existing scanners with a rate of 3.8.
“I love this scanner, but it gives a flash in n’ out that doesn’t let me hit the scan button. Sometimes, the scans get deleted if there was a way to store the barcodes automatically until you manually delete it. That would be awesome!!!” -Leo Diaz
QR Reader
QR reader is a free QR code reader to download as well. It has an overall satisfaction customer rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars but is only available for android devices.
“QR READER Works great. Simple to use. I use it at the Staten Island Mall all the time.” -Jim Stevenson
Guess what? There might be some applications like Shazam, Snapchat, and Pinterest you use daily but didn’t know they can scan QR codes.
1. Pinterest
The Lens Visual Discovery feature of this renowned application lets you scan the QR code for useful actions.
2. Shazam
Shazam also lets you read QR codes to interact with engaging, extensive, and exclusive content or offers. It also allows you to purchase and share things with others through the use of QR codes.
3. Snapchat
With over 166 million users, Snapchat is one of the most used social media platforms. Guess what? The android app of Snapchat can scan QR codes. Just point the camera towards the QR code, and you’ll receive a pop-up notification to proceed and access its content.
Lists of some of the most used QR Code Types
URL QR code
URL QR code is one of the most used types of QR code solutions for marketing and business. Using this QR code feature, you can create a URL or a website QR Code for any landing page you want your target audience to be redirected. It is an effortless way to increase traffic to any website and market your business.
If you want to expand your marketing and business campaign on an international scale, Multi-URL QR code is the perfect solution! This QR code feature caters to different audiences with different languages. The user will be redirected to a specific website based on his country, time, location, and device.
If you run an international company or online store, you can expand broader your reach even more with a Multi-URL QR code.
A V-Card QR Code is a more professional type of business card that enables you to share more valuable information about you to your targeted clients conveniently.
It maximizes your chances for future contacts as it allows you to include multiple details using V-Card QR code such as:
Name, organization, title
Phone (work, private, mobile)
Fax, Email, Website
Street, City, Zipcode
State, Country
Profile picture
Personal description
Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus,
Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube
When your V-card QR code is scanned, it allows the users to download your information or data to their smartphones right away!
An app store QR code will automatically redirect your scanners to the Apple App Store, Android play store, or Amazon App Store to download your app. They will be redirected to the specific store based on the user’s smartphone device.
With over billions of people using smartphones, you can use App QR code as a great mobile app marketing technique.
File QR code, when scanned, displays PDF, Jpeg, PNG, MP3, or MP4 files instantly to users’ smartphone devices.
Furthermore, they can instantly save information on their smartphones. This type of QR code feature is convenient for cataloging or any kind of information you like to share with your targeted customers.
This QR code solution is useful for social media influencers or digital marketers who want to boost their social media presence and further their reach.
Using a social media QR code will make it easy for your followers to follow you instantly on your social media platforms.
With most of the android apps that can detect QR codes, following these steps will make it easy for you to scan your QR code!
If you want to generate your free customized QR codes, you can create them at www.qrcode-tiger.com
Related terms
Android 7 QR code
To scan a QR code using Android 7, open the camera app of your phone and point it towards the QR code. Then, click the link that pops up to open the content of a QR code.
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