A QR code is a two-dimensional square barcode that allows storing data in encrypted form and for which an application that deciphers it is needed. In most cases, we find a link to a web page (at least as it is used by the general public).
However, in companies, that code gives rise to a product, along with its characteristics, inventory, supplier data, dimensions, drawings ... In fact, this was one of the reasons for its birth through the Toyota group in 1994, although it was until mid-2000 when it reached the general public.
What is a QR code
QR (Quick Response) codes can contain numbers, letters, binary code and even Japanese characters (Remember that it was created by the Japanese company Toyota). If we are talking about characters only, this can contain a maximum of 7089. If we combine letters and numbers the maximum number is 4296. jajIf the QR code is formatted by 1 and 0, the maximum size is 2953 characters while if it is Japanese characters, this is limited to 1817 characters.
The use of QR codes has increased dramatically in recent years in the tourism industry, since it offers through a code that we can recognize from any smartphone on a web page with additional information, multimedia content, an audio ...
It is also quite common to see it in fairs, in medical centers to identify Alzheimer's patients, in government agencies, on public transport… The versatility offered by this code, together with how easy it is to create them, has allowed it to become a universal communication language.
How to read QR codes on a Windows PC
Mobile devices are the most widely used for read and access content including QR codesHowever, it is not the only device that allows access. In Windows, as in Mac, we have at our disposal different applications that, by placing the code in front of the webcam, recognize it and open the URL it includes.
QR Code for Windows 10
One of the most complete applications available in the Windows Store is QR Code for Windows 10, an application that also allows us to create this type of code. This application is available for your download completely free and does not include any type of ads.
scanner one
With this unoriginal name, we find one of the applications more complete to read any type of code, as it offers support for: Codabar, Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, EAN, GS1 DataBar (RSS), ITF, MSI Barcode, UPC, Aztec, Data Matrix, PDF417, QR Code.
ScannerOne allows us to read the code from the webcam, from a file or even from the Windows clipboard and access the information that includes in detail: website, postal address, telephone number, location and even notes. The app is available for free download and does not include ads or in-app purchases.
How to read QR codes on a Mac
qr-journal
One of the best applications available on the Mac App Store to read QR codes is QR Journal, an application completely free that allows us, through the device's camera, to access the content stored in these codes.
How to read QR codes on mobile
Read QR codes on iPhone
For several years, Apple natively introduced support for QR codes through the iPhone camera, without the user having to do anything (this function is activated natively in the camera options within settings).
To read a QR code with the iPhone, we just have to zoom in on the camera of our iPhone (obviously with the camera application open) towards the code. Automatically, the camera will recognize the code and at the top it will show us a link to the web page that includes the content available in the code.
Read QR codes on Android
If we look for applications to read QR codes in the Play Store, we can spend all day talking about them. However, no need to search the google app store, as long as we have Chrome installed.
Android's native browser, Google Chrome, includes support for reading QR codes from the device's camera. We just have to run Chrome, click on the address bar and select Read QR code so that, automatically, the device's camera opens, reads the code and returns the web address it points to.
How to create QR codes
Like the process to create barcodes, the process to create QR codes is very simple, maybe even more. To create this type of code, with the use that most users give it (point to a web page), we only need an application and the web address.
When entered in the application, automatically the QR code will be created, code that we can export to an image to print or associate it with any document. That is, first of all, check that the code works 100%.
It is a routine check that will hardly take us time but that is a guarantee of operation that will take away many possible headaches.
QR Code for Windows 10
This application, which also allows us to read QR codes, is one of the best applications to create QR codes. The application allows us export the code created in an image, allows us to add a custom background ...
QR Code for Windows 10 is available for download completely free of charge, does not include ads or in-app purchases, making it a better all-in-one options for working with this type of code.
qr-journal
Like this application allows us to create QR codes, it also allows us generate any type of code, through a simple user interface where we have at our disposal all the data that we can include when generating QR codes.