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March 29, 2024

Your smartphone is full of surprises. If you want to use your phone as a magnifying glass or a scanner, there’s an app for that. Tap or click here to learn about hidden apps on your smartphone and how to find them.

Third-party programs take up space on your phone, and many are redundant due to the phone’s built-in features. Tap or click here for frequently used apps that you can remove immediately.

Quick Response Codes, better known as QR Codes, are those pixelated squares you see in restaurants, advertisements, stores, food packaging, business cards, airline tickets, and more. Some developers will have you believe that you need to download their app in order to scan them. Spoiler alert: Your phone can do this with a built-in feature.

walk the maze

QR codes were originally created to track car parts, but now they’re used for much more.

Readers can scan this QR code to donate to the American Red Cross and join FOX Corporation’s efforts to provide relief after Hurricane Ian.
(Fox Corporation)

How many calories are in these fries? Where can you buy the clothing you see advertised? How many miles does this car get on a gallon of gas? A quick scan of a QR code can solve all these problems and more. Think of this technology as a smart barcode.

QR codes have been around long before smartphones, and your device works right out of the box. Here’s how to use this useful feature without third-party software.

Use your phone’s native features to avoid malware

The popularity of third-party scanning applications makes them a major delivery system for malware. Hackers hide dangerous code in these useful apps that can steal your money, hijack your personal information, and even take over your device.

related: QR code app found to hide malware – check your phone!

How to Scan a QR Code Using the iPhone’s Camera App

The iPhone’s built-in camera app makes scanning QR codes as easy as taking a photo. That’s it:

  • Open camera app and hold your iPhone so the QR code appears in the viewfinder.
  • Your phone should recognize the QR code and notify you.
  • Tap the notification to open the link associated with the QR code.

How to scan a QR code with an Android phone

Your Android phone’s camera may be able to scan QR codes without using a third-party app. That’s it:

  • Open camera app and hold your Android phone so that the QR code appears in the viewfinder.
  • Your phone should recognize the QR code and notify you.
  • Tap the notification to open the link associated with the QR code.
  • If you did not receive a notification, please go to set up and enable QR code scanning.
In this photo illustration, the Android logo is displayed on a smartphone.

In this photo illustration, the Android logo is displayed on a smartphone.
(Photo illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Use Samsung’s camera app

Samsung’s camera app comes with QR code scanning support. That’s it:

  • Open camera app and hold your Samsung phone so that the QR code appears in the viewfinder.
  • Your phone should recognize the QR code and notify you.
  • Tap the notification to open the link associated with the QR code.
  • If you did not receive a notification, please go to set up and enable QR code scanning.

use google lens

Google Lens started out as a feature on Pixel phones but quickly became standard on many Android phones. The tool is part of the camera app and can do everything from identifying a dog’s breed to translating text. Here’s how to use it:

  • open your camera application and click More > Google Smart Lens.
  • Now you’ll have a lens icon that you can use every time you open the camera, and it can also scan QR codes.
  • You can also activate Google Lens using the Google Assistant.Say “OK Google,” then click google lens In the lower right corner.

Tap or click here to get the most out of Google Lens.

use bixby

Samsung’s virtual assistant can help you learn more with a QR code. That’s it:

  • Launch your camera app and tap Bixby Vision.
  • then click allow Enable permissions. Enable all eject permissions.
  • scan it go Navigate to view the QR code content.

While convenient and fun, scanning QR codes can expose you to malware and scams. Tap or click here for tips on what to look out for.

A guest holds the new iPhone 14 at an Apple event at its headquarters in Cupertino, California, U.S., September 7, 2022.

A guest holds the new iPhone 14 at an Apple event at its headquarters in Cupertino, California, U.S., September 7, 2022.
(Reuters/Carlos Barria)

maintain your technical knowledge

My popular podcast is called “Kim Komando Today. “It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and tech questions for callers like you from around the country. Search it wherever you get the podcast. For your convenience, click the link below to get the most recent episode.

Podcast Picks: Sell ​​your poop, no more Netflix, delete these apps

Think twice before flushing. Your poop could be worth big bucks. (Yes, really.) Plus, Netflix wants you to stop sharing your account, Amazon Music offers expanded ad-free listening to Prime members, and why Uber should bombard you with ads. Also, free alternatives to Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, or Illustrator will work just as well.

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Today” apple, google podcasts, spotify musicor your favorite podcast player.

Listen to the podcast here Or wherever you get podcasts. Just search for my last name “Komando”.

Get more know-how Kim Komando Showbroadcast on more than 425 radio stations and available as podcast. Sign up for Kim’s free 5-minute morning wrap-up Learn about the latest security vulnerabilities and technology news. need help?leave your questions to kim here.

Copyright 2023, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. all rights reserved. By clicking the shopping link, you are supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. I only recommend products that I believe in.



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