A menu QR code on a restaurant door.
Image: Andy Wolber/TechRepublic

QR codes let people access information with a smartphone; instead of typing a URL, you point your smartphone camera at a QR barcode and tap to scan. There are two different types of QR codes: one links to one set location on the web (known as a static QR code) and one sends customers to an updatable web location (known as a dynamic QR code).

On an iPhone, Apple’s camera app includes QR code scan support. On an Android device, both Google Assistant, with the words “scan QR code,” and the Google Camera app, with Google Lens mode, let you point your camera at a QR code then tap to scan and search.

We’ll look at five methods that offer reliable ways to create QR codes to provide contactless access to web pages and other information.

How to create QR codes with Chrome

Google’s Chrome browser includes a free QR code generator for web pages (Figure A). The free QR generator feature is built into the Share system in Chrome on both Android and iOS and is available in every desktop version of Chrome.

Figure A

Create a QR code link to web resources in the Chrome and Chrome OS browser.
Create a QR code link to web resources in the Chrome and Chrome OS browser.

Note: Different versions of Chrome provide different QR code displays. Currently, Chrome on Android and desktop versions display the QR code with a dinosaur in the middle, while Chrome on iOS provides a standard QR code that lacks the dinosaur logo.

Android

  1. In Chrome on Android, browse as usual to a web page, then:
  2. Tap the three-dot menu.
  3. Select Share…
  4. Select QR Code. You can tap Download to save the code to your system for later use (Figure B).

Figure B

On Android, tap the three-dot menu, Share, then QR Code to generate a code for a page.
On Android, tap the three-dot menu, Share, then QR Code to generate a code for a page.

iOS

In Chrome on iOS, browse as normal to a web page, then:

  1. Tap the Share symbol.
  2. Scroll down a bit in the displayed options and tap Create a QR Code (Figure C).
  3. Tap Share, then choose either Save Image or Save To Files to preserve the code to scan and use later.

Figure C

Tap the share glyph, then Create A QR Code within Chrome on iOS to generate a QR code.
Tap the share glyph, then Create A QR Code within Chrome on iOS to generate a QR code.

Desktop

In desktop versions of Chrome on Windows, macOS or Chrome OS devices, right-click or tap with two fingers on a touchpad to display the Create QR Code option. The generated QR code displays in the upper-right area the browser. You may then scan the image or select the Download button to save it (Figure D).

Figure D

Right-click or two-finger tap the touchpad, and select Create QR code for this page (left) to generate a QR code to scan or download (right).
Right-click or two-finger tap the touchpad, and select Create QR code for this page (left) to generate a QR code to scan or download (right).

How to create QR codes with QRbot

QRbot lets you create codes that link to a web page, as well as codes that encourage other actions, such as adding a contact, connecting to Wi-Fi, sending an email or SMS, or making a call (Figure E).

Figure E

QRbot, with web, Android and iOS apps, lets you create QR codes for a variety of links and actions.
QRbot, with web, Android and iOS apps, lets you create QR codes for a variety of links and actions.

To create a QR code with QRbot:

  1. Go to the QRbot QR Generator.
  2. Select an action.
  3. Add any necessary details.
  4. Then, download your custom QR code.

QRbot is available for free on the web and as Android and iOS apps. It also offers a pro option for Android and iOS ($4.99 and $5.99, respectively), which removes ads and provides access to extra features. Additionally, the upgrade on iOS lets you change the QR code design, giving users the ability to adjust colors, add a custom logo and select from more themes.

SEE: Take advantage of this deal from TechRepublic Academy for two years of unlimited QR codes.

How to create QR codes with Barcode Generator

Those who use Windows may want to consider installing the free Barcode Generator app by Vevy Europe — S.P.A. from the Microsoft Store. As with Chrome and QRbot, the QR Barcode Generator provides several prebuilt action options to create QR codes for email, Twitter, Facebook, SMS, Wi-Fi, Flickr and YouTube among others (Figure F). Select an action, enter your data, then save the generated image.

Figure F

Barcode Generator lets you select from 12 QR code link types, enter the necessary data and then save the resulting code.
Barcode Generator lets you select from 12 QR code link types, enter the necessary data and then save the resulting code.

How to create QR codes with iQR codes

On macOS, iQR codes — QR Code Art Studio provides fast, fill-in-the-blank creation of QR codes for phone numbers, SMS, email, locations, web links, contact info, calendar events, Wi-Fi access and more (Figure G).

Figure G

iQR codes — QR Code Art Studio offers several preset options along with the ability to significantly customize the appearance of the generated QR codes.
iQR codes — QR Code Art Studio offers several preset options along with the ability to significantly customize the appearance of the generated QR codes.

This $14.99 app lets you make more adjustments to the display of the QR code than any of the above options. These tweaks include pixel styles, corner and resolution sliders, foreground and background colors, as well as customizations of the corner control points. The app even provides a built-in tool that assesses the readability of your QR code along with tips to help ensure reliability when your potential customers use their QR code readers.

SEE: Top 5 tips for QR code safety (TechRepublic)

How do you use QR codes?

The use of QR codes for marketing and accessing online menus, especially, proliferated during COVID-19 efforts to minimize physical contact points. Many sales systems, such as OpenTable, Shopify and Square, let business owners generate multiple QR codes for customers.

Do you use QR codes at your organization? If so, what types of information do you link to for your customers (menus, social media marketing, Wi-Fi sign-in)? What systems or apps do you use to create QR codes? Let me know how you use QR codes on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @awolber.

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