2024-03-06 14:31:27
Be it a website, train ticket or menu: we encounter QR codes almost everywhere. What is behind the pixel squares – and what should you pay attention to when scanning?
The most important things at a glance
Some call them cube patterns, others see them as funny labyrinths: almost no one can get past the so-called QR codes anymore. They are printed on advertising posters, flyers and business cards, they are stuck in supermarkets and elevators, and they are often emblazoned on lampposts.
QR codes are read with a smartphone and can contain important information. We’ll tell you what exactly is behind it.
What are QR codes?
The official name of the black and white cube patterns is QR codes, an abbreviation for Quick Response. They are related to the barcodes on product packaging. Any information can be embedded in QR codes.
For example, the post office uses them as digital stamps, and the railways use them for cell phone tickets. On advertising posters they often lead the viewer to a company website.
Access to a home WiFi network can also be made much easier using a QR code instead of manually entering a password. We explain how this works here.
Scan the QR code with your smartphone
On current smartphones – whether iPhone or Android devices – a function for reading QR codes is already integrated into the camera app. In the past, it was often necessary to install third-party apps such as “Barcoo” or “QR Code Scanner”, which can sometimes also recognize barcodes on food. This method is generally outdated these days.
To check whether your smartphone is able to read a QR code, proceed as follows:
- Open the Camera app. This can be done from both the lock screen and the home screen – or in the control center.
- Aim the main camera at the QR code so that it is fully captured.
- The software automatically recognizes the QR code and displays a message with the content on the screen.
- Tapping it will open the content.
Scan QR code with Samsung
Current smartphones and tablets from Samsung are also able to automatically recognize and read a QR code. However, with the devices from the Korean manufacturer there is the option of switching the QR code scanner on and off manually. You can find this setting in the status bar.
You open this by swiping down with two fingers from the top edge of the screen. Then tap on the QR code scanner function in the button menu. You may need to swipe left or right in the menu to find the entry on the next page. After you have activated the function, all you have to do is hold the camera on the QR code and it will then be scanned automatically.
Download QR code scanner: Which apps are safe?
If your cell phone is so old that your camera app does not automatically recognize QR codes, you can alternatively download and install one of many free apps for creating and reading QR codes. But be careful: only download verified apps from the official Google and Apple stores.
Apps from an unknown source may contain malware – read more here. The QR code scanners found in the Apple App Store or Google Play have undergone a security check, but can still contain annoying advertising or unwanted tracking functions. User reviews and download numbers provide a rough guide as to which apps have proven to be successful.
Is scanning QR codes safe?
A good QR code scanning app will show a preview of the content and warn the user if the code contains a dangerous link, for example. You should not use an app that directs you directly to a website, as fraudsters have also discovered QR codes for their own purposes. They cover QR codes from well-known brands with fake codes, which then lead to infected websites.
Therefore, when scanning QR codes in public places, make sure that they are not pasted-over codes. You should also be careful with flyers that are distributed on the street.
How do QR codes work?
A QR code consists of a square matrix of black and white dots and lines. These contain digitally encoded information. There is a square in three out of four corners that the scanner uses to orientate itself. This ensures that the QR code can always be read correctly, regardless of the orientation.