How to retrieve a QR code on an Android phone? (for beginners)

QR codes may be with us even longer than any of you might think. Their history dates back to a year 1994when they were created by the Japanese company Denso-Wave. However, many years have passed since then and today you can see these cubes everywhere from food to bus stops to department stores and airports. This is an easy way to receive information. They may contain links to websites, applications or even specific information. Today we will look at how to retrieve a QR code on an Android phone.

Due to the fact that you do not have to meet with QR codes regularly, it is possible that you will suddenly not know how to retrieve it. In addition, the download may be different on your Android phone than on another. It’s mostly about how old your system is. This guide will help you answer the question of how to load the QR code on your Android phone. It should also be added that this is not complicated and whether you have an older phone or the latest flagship, it is very quick and easy to read these codes everywhere.

How to retrieve a QR code on an Android phone via the camera app

Most newer Android phones are able to scan a QR code directly in the default camera application. If you have a system Android 9.0 Pie or later, you will most likely have this option available. This system came out at the end of 2018, so if you have a newer phone, you probably have won. If you are not sure which version of Android you have installed on your phone, just check in Settings> About phone.

So if you want to retrieve the QR code this way, just open the Camera app and point at the QR code for a few seconds (no need to take a picture). It is important that the code is clearly visible and, of course, you must be connected to the Internet. Then a link will appear on the screen, which you just have to click and you will go to its content, for example, to a website or application tab in Google Play.

How to retrieve a QR code using a third-party application

If you have an older Android phone that you can’t upgrade to a newer version of the system, or you just don’t have to scan through the default camera app, you don’t have to despair. There are a number of applications that are free and of course can read QR codes. The application is very popular in the Czech Republic QR and barcode reader, which is in Czech and offers some additional features such as QR code generator.

QR and barcode reader (Czech)

However, if for any reason this application does not suit you, just enter the term into Google Play “qr code scanner” and dozens of other reliable applications will come to you. However, we recommend installing those that have more downloads and good ratings. Their interface will be a little different, but the principle is the same. Just launch the application and point the camera at the QR code for a few seconds. If you have Google Lens installed on your phone, it can do that by the way.

How often do you scan QR codes?