QR codes are an incredibly useful tool for sharing information quickly and easily. By scanning a QR code with your phone’s camera, you can instantly access a website, contact details, WiFi login, social media profiles and much more. But to share a QR code with others, you first need to know how to copy and save the code.
What is a QR code?
A QR code (short for Quick Response code) is a type of barcode that can be scanned by a smartphone camera. QR codes store information such as website URLs, text, phone numbers, emails, contact details and more in a machine-readable format.
QR codes work by encoding data into a two-dimensional grid of black and white squares. When you scan a QR code using your phone’s camera, the phone’s software reads and interprets this pattern of squares to extract the encoded data.
Compared to standard barcodes, QR codes can hold significantly more data and are readable from any direction. This makes them a very versatile tool for sharing information quickly just by scanning the code.
How are QR codes generated?
QR codes are generated by QR code generator programs or websites. To create a QR code, you simply enter the data you want to encode, such as a URL, text, contact details, etc. The generator will then convert this data into the distinctive pixelated square pattern.
There are many free QR code generators available online that allow you to create QR codes instantly. Some popular options include:
- QRCode Monkey
- Unitag
- QR Code Generator
- Kaywa QR Code Generator
These free generator sites allow you to create QR codes by simply entering a URL or text and downloading the resulting image. More advanced generators offer options like customizing colors, embedding logos, and tracking scans.
How to copy a QR code
Once you have a QR code generated, copying it is simple. Here are the main methods for copying a QR code:
Copy from your phone’s camera
One of the easiest ways to copy a QR code is directly from your phone’s camera when scanning the code:
- Open your phone’s camera and scan the QR code as usual. Don’t open the link yet.
- Look for a notification that pops up showing the URL or data encoded in the QR code.
- Long press on this notification and select ‘Copy’ to copy the URL or text.
- You can now paste this anywhere to copy the QR code data.
Take a screenshot
Another quick option is to take a screenshot of the QR code:
- Open the QR code image on your phone.
- Take a screenshot by pressing the Volume Down and Power Button together.
- This will capture and save the QR code image to your photos.
- Go to your photos and crop the screenshot if needed to isolate the QR code.
Save the image
When you generate a QR code online, you can download and save the image file to copy it:
- Right click on the QR code image and choose ‘Save image as’.
- Save the image file to your computer or phone.
- You now have a copy of the QR code image that you can share.
Copy image address
If you find a QR code image online, you can copy its image address:
- Right click on the QR code image and choose ‘Copy image address’.
- This copies the URL of the image file to your clipboard.
- Paste this URL anywhere to download or share the image.
How to share a QR code
Once you have copied and saved a QR code image, sharing it is simple. Here are some popular ways to share QR codes:
Text or email
Send the QR code image file or URL via text, email, Skype, Messenger etc. The recipient can download the image or visit the URL to scan your QR code.
Social media
Post the QR code image on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. This allows all your followers to scan the code instantly from your post.
Instant messaging
Apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Line, WeChat etc allow you to instantly share images. Forward the QR code image to contacts or groups.
Embedded in websites
Embed or host the QR code image on your website, blog, online listings etc. Visitors can then scan the code from your site.
Printed materials
Print the QR code on business cards, flyers, posters, packaging or other materials. Print a large, high resolution image for best scanning results.
This allows anyone who sees your printed material in person to easily scan the code and take the desired action.
Tips for copying and sharing QR codes
Here are some handy tips when copying and sharing QR codes:
- Double check the URL or data encoded is correct before sharing the code.
- Compress images if needed so they are easy to share via messaging or email.
- Crop images tightly around the QR code so the entire code is visible.
- Use a QR code generator that allows tracking scans and links for analytics.
- Print QR codes in high resolution for the best scanability.
- Make sure embedded codes are large and clear enough to be scanned easily.
- Add instructions like “Scan code for menu” so people know what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy a QR code directly from my phone?
Yes, you can copy a QR code directly from your phone without downloading the image. When scanning a code with your camera, look for the notification previewing the QR code data. Long press on this notification and select ‘Copy’ to copy the contents.
Do I need a QR code reader app to copy codes?
No, you do not need a dedicated QR reader app. Your phone’s regular camera app has built-in QR scanning capabilities. Just open the camera and point it at a QR code to scan it.
What’s the best way to share QR codes online?
Sharing QR codes via messaging apps or social media is very effective for digital sharing. Embed codes on your website or blog posts to make it easy for visitors to scan from their phones.
Can I share QR codes without an internet connection?
Yes, you can share QR code images via offline methods like email, file transfer apps, printed materials, and physically handing someone your phone with the code open. An internet connection is only needed for the recipient to scan and interpret the actual data.
What’s the maximum data size for a QR code?
QR codes can hold up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters. However, the more data encoded, the more complex the pattern becomes. For reliable scanning, it’s best to keep QR codes under 2,000-3,000 characters.
How do I create a QR code for free?
There are many great free QR code generators online you can use such as QRCode Monkey, Unitag, and Kaywa. Just enter your URL or text and download the generated QR code image to share as needed.
Can I edit a QR code image?
Yes, QR code images can be edited like any other image file. You can crop, resize, customize colors, add logos etc. Just be careful not to distort the position of the QR squares too much or it may become unscannable.
How can I track QR code scans?
Use a QR code generator that provides analytics, like QR Code Monkey or Scanova. Or use a URL shortener like bit.ly to create a trackable link, then generate a QR code for that shortened URL. This will let you see how many times the code was scanned.
Conclusion
Copying and sharing QR codes is quick and easy to do on both desktop and phones. By saving QR code images or URLs, you can distribute codes via social media, messaging, email, embedded online, and printed materials. When sharing QR codes, ensure the image quality is high and the entire code is visible so recipients can scan it successfully. With the proliferation of smartphone cameras, leveraging QR codes is a great way to share information seamlessly.