From the collector to the contribution for the neighborhood drink, QR codes seem to be incorporated everywhere you look. These smart codes are very useful, provided you know how it works and what you need to take into account. In this blog we take you into the wonderful world of the smart QR code.
What is a QR Code?
A blocky, black and white screen that opens doors for you to the theater, your plane seat or even functioned as an access pass during the corona peak.
The code consists of a cluster of white and black squares. Each square corresponds to the number 0 and 1, the way computers communicate with each other.
When you put this in a certain order, you have a unique code in computer language. The code can also be read from both sides, so unlike a barcode, much more information can be processed.
A QR code is actually the modern brother of the old familiar barcode. Camera phones came on the market in 2002, and since then anyone can scan the code. Only since corona has its use increased enormously.
What is the use of a QR code?
A QR code is very handy. But it is useful to know what ‘QR’ actually means. It stands for ‘Quick Response’. This type of barcode was introduced in 1994 for the automotive industry
The Denso Wave company came up with the code. And that was not without reason. Because Denso Wave is a supplier of the Japanese car brands Toyota and Isuzu.
At the time, Toyota required Denso to make its parts more identifiable. This so that it could be read faster in the factory by the robots and machines.
Soon the QR code was also used in Japan for business cards, magazines and bus stops. This smart code has now conquered terrain in almost every industry.
You scan a QR code by opening the camera on your phone and pointing it at the code. You don’t need an extra app for this! Useful!
Is the use of QR codes safe?
Yes and no. Because you can also scan a QR code that sends you to a fake website. That’s why it’s always good to see if you trust the place (an unknown letter, a vague flyer, etc.) where you scan the QR code.
For banking, for example, you only scan the QR code with your bank’s mobile app to prevent fraud. Do you have a QR code under your nose from a party you do not trust?
Then go on your gut feeling and don’t scan the QR code. This is how you prevent fraud with QR codes:
- Be sharp with every QR code, and check the web address while scanning before clicking through.
- Do not be fooled. Some documents with QR codes look quite official. Make sure that you always handle matters for the Tax and Customs Administration, MijnOverheid or banking affairs in the associated apps.
- Do you see a shortened link in a QR code when you scan it? That’s a bit suspicious. There is no maximum for the length of links, so the shortened version is not necessary. Watch out for names like ‘bit.ly’ in the url.
Getting started: How do I scan a QR code?
Now that you know how to recognize fraud with QR codes and what a QR code means, we’ll take you step by step during the scanning process.
This way you will soon be able to scan and recognize any QR code effortlessly. All standard camera apps recognize QR codes, so you don’t need an extra app to get started. Nice bonus!
Scan QR code Samsung and Android
Android smartphone or tablet at the ready, because it’s time to start scanning QR codes. Make sure your internet or WiFi is on.
- Unlock your Android.
- Open the camera app on your phone.
- Point your camera well at the QR code you want to scan.
- Click on your screen in the middle of the code.
- Click on the link that appears.
- The page behind the QR code will now load automatically.
- Note: Some phones do not automatically scan a QR code. Then first press the Google Lens button in the camera app. You can find this (usually) next to the shutter button. Don’t see a Lens button? Then move on to plan B: Using Google Lens.
Are you stuck? Then you can go for plan B: Google Lens.
- Unlock your Android.
- Go to the Google Play store and download Google Lens (if you don’t already have this app).
- Activate your Google Assistant by holding down the home button.
- Is Google Lens installed? Then the icon will automatically appear in your Google Assistant.
- Click on the Lens symbol and your camera will be activated.
- Point your camera well at the QR code you want to scan.
- Click on your screen in the middle of the code.
- Click on the link that appears.
- The page will now load automatically.
Can’t do this? Then try it via Google Photos:
- The Google Photos app also has Google Lens built in. This allows you to scan a photo afterwards using the Lens button in your photo gallery. This way you can always scan a QR code afterwards or save the photo for a later moment.
QR-code scannen iPhone
Do you have an iPhone or an iPad? Then you can immediately start scanning a QR code with the following steps.
- Unlock your iPhone.
- Open the camera app on your phone.
- Point your camera well at the QR code you want to scan.
- Click on your screen in the middle of the code.
- Click on the link that appears.
- The page will now load automatically.
Doesn’t that work? Then you can also try the code scanner app that comes standard on your iPhone. You activate it like this:
- Unlock your iPhone.
- Click on ‘Settings’
- And navigate to ‘Control panel’.
- Click the + next to code scanner.
- Now open the control panel and click on the code scanner.
- Point the scanner at the QR code you want to scan.
- Click on your screen in the middle of the code.
- Click on the link that appears.
- The page will now load automatically.
Scan QR code with your laptop
Is it not possible to scan a QR code with your phone, or do you not have a phone available (for example because the battery is empty)? No problem! You can also scan a QR code with your laptop. That works like this:
- Download a QR code scanner (for iOS or Windows ).
- Open the program on your laptop.
- Point your webcam at the QR code.
- Open the link that is suggested.
Scan without worry
Is your phone in need of replacement? And is your camera beyond repair? That’s a shame, because then you can unfortunately no longer scan QR codes.
