How to successfully scan a QR code?

By Digital Learning Specialist Amelia

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You probably have seen them somewhere by now, black and white square or circular barcode images&#;known as QR codes (short for Quick Response codes)&#;on contactless menus, advertisements, and even as a form of payment around the world.

But what are QR codes?

These barcode images are readable by digital devices&#;like your smartphone. And scanning a QR code with your camera app will trigger your to open a specific link to an internet webpage or online app that&#;s embedded in that barcode image. Essentially, QR codes are a shortcut to an action.

QR codes make it easy to quickly access information. Instead of typing a long URL address into a browser, you can scan a QR code with your smart device and quickly open a webpage such as a restaurant&#;s menu, download an app, pay a business and/or organization, and so much more.

How do I use a QR code?

Getting started

To start, you will need a smart device such as a cell or tablet to be able to scan the QR code from your device&#;s camera. These steps are similar on both Android and Apple devices.

If your smart device doesn&#;t support QR code scanning through your device&#;s camera, you also can download a QR scanner through the app store, e.g. Google Play or Apple App Store.

A safety tip: Because scanning a QR code will automatically open a web browser or app, you should only scan QR codes from reputable sites and organizations.

How to scan a QR code

Let&#;s begin by scanning a popular QR code found at the Oak Park Public Library. This QR code is printed on signage near our printing stations (as seen in the picture at the top of this page). The QR code is a direct link to our online web printing portal at https://oppl.eprintitsaas.com/public/upload.

This QR code is available so patrons can quickly print a document from their rather than logging into a public computer to print it.

1. Open your camera app and point your device&#;s camera at the QR code. Make sure to get a full view of the QR code on the camera viewfinder to scan the complete code.
2. It may take a moment for the camera app to recognize the QR code and retrieve the requested URL on the web. Next, a prompt will appear in a box saying either &#;Open Link in Browser&#; or &#; show a URL shortcode&#; (see Figures 1 and 2). Tap in this box to access the link.

3. After tapping on the notification of the URL, your device will be redirected to the printing web portal.

This is all you need to do to access a QR code using a smartphone, but continue on if you&#;d like to learn how to print a document at the library using your .

How to print a document using the printing portal QR code

After following the steps above to access the Main Library&#;s printing portal using the QR code, you&#;ll need to:

1. Make sure the document(s) you want printed are saved in your &#;s file or documents folder.
2. Have a valid library card or guest pass with printing credit. Find more information about printing at the library »
3. Once the printing portal has loaded, select a method to upload your document(s). If your files are saved in your &#;s file or documents folder, tap the Files icon and then select the file(s) to print.

4. Next, enter your library card or guest pass information.
5. The price of the print job will appear once the document has been uploaded. This amount will be deducted from your printing credit. Click the submit button that appears below your library card number.
6. The screen will reload to the Jobs page once your print job is accepted.
7. To release the print job, visit the print station at the library and enter your library card or guest pass number.

About Amelia

Part concertgoer, part bibliophile, part audiophile, half theatrical skills, half creative journaling, Amelia is part of the digital learning team as a specialist who seeks to bridge the gap between informal and formal digital literacy by emphasizing &#;we will learn together.&#;

QR codes are everywhere, from restaurant menus, advertisements, digital business cards, and more they have become a simple and effective way to share information. But what happens when you&#;re scrolling through social media or on a company's website and there&#;s a QR code, how do you scan it?  

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Usually, to scan a QR code, you&#;d pull up your camera app, but that&#;s not possible when the QR code is already on your . So what should you do?Keep reading to learn how to open a QR code from a picture on your smartphone.

Can you scan a QR code from the camera roll? 

Yes! Both iOS and Android devices allow you to scan a QR code from an image saved to your camera roll without any extra apps. Start by taking a screenshot of the QR code on your device, then follow the instructions below for your iOS or Android device. 

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How to scan a QR code from a photo on iOS devices

Apple devices make it easy to scan QR codes right from your photo gallery with the live dictation button. Here&#;s how to scan a QR code from photos on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch: 

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1. Open the picture or screenshot in the Photos app.

2. Click the live text dictation button in the bottom right corner.

3. Click the QR code and open the link. 

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How to scan a QR code from the photo on Android devices

Not all Android devices have a built-in option to scan a QR code from photos, and built-in options may vary depending on your device. If your Android device has Google Lens or Google Assistant, you should be able to open a QR code from a screenshot easily. 

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How to scan a QR code from the Android gallery with Google Lens

For more Hand Held Qr Code Scannerinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

1. Open the image the Gallery app

2. Select the photo of the QR code

3. Tap the share icon

4. Select Google Search Image to read the QR code using Google Lens.

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How to scan a QR code from an image with Google Assistant

1. Open your camera and switch to Google Assistant mode

2. Choose a picture from the Gallery

3. Select the link that pops up above the QR code. 

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If your device doesn&#;t have one of these built-in options, you may need to download an app to scan QR codes from a photo or screenshot.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Scanning Qr Codes From Images

How do I read a QR code from an image? 

Reading a QR code from an image is simple on any device. For iOS, open the picture, tap live dictation, and tap the QR code to read it. For Android, open your Gallery or Google Lends, choose your QR code, and tap the popup with the link. 

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Do I need an app to scan a QR code from my photo gallery?

No, both iOS and Android devices support scanning a QR code from within the photo gallery. 

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My isn&#;t detecting the QR code in the image. What should I do?

While most iOS and Android devices support QR code scanning from a photo, not all devices do. You may need to download a third-party QR code scanner if your device does not support QR code scanning. 

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How do I take a screenshot of a QR code?

Every device is different, but for most smartphones, pressing the power button and the volume up or down button will take a screenshot. 

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Can I scan a QR code on my computer without a ?

Yes, if you come across a QR code on your computer and don&#;t want to pull out your , you can upload the image to any QR code scanner website. 

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For more information, please visit Barcode Scanner Engine.