For those of us who have not had QR codes integrated into our daily lives, they could still be a mystery. So let's take a look at what they are and what happens when they are scanned.
A QR Code is a 2-dimensional barcode that can encode a variety of different information.
- a text string (ABCDEFGHI)
- some numbers (123456789)
- an alphanumeric string (A1B2C3D4F5)
- your business card information (nicely formatted)
- a static URL (i.e. https://www.scantrust.com/request-a-demo/ )
- a dynamic URL (i.e. HTTPS://ST4.CH/Q/16XOJ3PB1A061046CTF118KS)
So what happens when you scan a QR Code with a QR Scanning App.
Think of the QR Scanner like a keyboard.
A QR code scanning app (dedicated app or the native camera function on your phone) is just a tool that reads the QR Code message, and IF it is a URL, it will transfer (aka: type) the URL into your preferred web browser to open the web page.
Some scanning apps will show you the URL and ask you if you actually want to open the link, while others will just open your browser without asking you.
Scanning a QR Code vs Reading a QR Code (our human understandable attempt to explain 😅
Scanning is the act of holding the scanner to the QR code, and that is when your phone reads the QR code.
Common Scan App Behaviours:
Depending on the mobile app you use, there can be a couple of things that happen:
- The app shows you the URL that is encoded in the QR code, and you have to decide if you want to open it
- The app shows you the general website that is encoded in the URL, and you have to decide if you want to open it
- The app immediately opens the link in your phone's default browser
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