This article provides information on how to test your QR Code to ensure it works properly and how to troubleshoot any issues you may face.
Testing your QR Code before sharing it with others is essential to ensure it functions correctly across different devices and environments. This article will guide you through best practices for testing your QR Code, along with troubleshooting tips if you encounter any issues.
How do I scan a QR Code?
iPhones with iOS 11 and above have a built-in QR Code scanning feature within the camera app. Here’s how to scan:
- Launch the Camera app on the mobile phone
- Hold your device so the QR Code appears within the frame. There is no need to take a picture, just ensure the QR Code is fully visible on the screen
- After a moment, a notification will pop up at the top of the screen. This will show the link or content that the QR Code is connected to
- Tap on the notification to open the content, which may be a website, app download, or other digital resources
If this does not work, ensure your camera settings allow QR Code scanning by going to Settings > Camera > Scan QR Codes.
How do I ensure that my QR Code is highly scannable
You can ensure high scannability of the QR Code in three ways:
- Print the QR Code on a flat surface. QR Codes don't work if they are printed on uneven or curved surfaces (as they become rectangular in shape instead of the ideal square shape). Hence, make sure the QR Code is printed on a smooth, plain surface
- Make sure there is high contrast between the background colour and colour of QR Code elements. If the background is light in colour, keep the colour of the QR Code elements dark, and vice-versa
- Make sure the size of the QR Code is large enough such that the data modules (square blocks) are visible both to the naked eye as well as the camera lens
My QR Code is not scanning. What went wrong?
- QR Code Size: The QR Code could be too small for your phone’s camera to identify its data modules. It’s crucial that you find the ideal size for your QR Code
- Wear &Tear: The QR Code might be physically damaged, making it unreadable for scanning devices
- Scanning Distance: To scan a QR code successfully, ensure it fits within the scanning app's screen. This is possible by maintaining a reasonable distance between the code and your camera
- Uneven Surface: QR Codes scan best when they are on flat and even surfaces. Ideally, QR Codes should appear square-shaped both visually and to the scanning app. If you've printed a QR code on a curved surface, it might appear rectangular—making scanning tricky
- Custom Design: Adding custom design can also affect scannability. Generally, a large logo or poor contrast impacts scannability. To improve scannability, you can:
- Decrease the size of the logo
- Increase the contrast between the color of your QR Code and the background. This means lightening the background and darkening the QR Code colors (eye and data).
- Data Encoded: If you have created a QR Code with a large amount of data (high number of characters) then sometimes that QR Code might not be scannable via cameras with lower resolution. Generally, data encoded should be kept at a moderate level. The higher the amount of data, the lower should be the design customization
- Outdated Technology: Scanning devices or software might be outdated and unable to read the QR Code format
- Software Issues: Scanning app or software might be experiencing bugs or compatibility issues, preventing it from scanning the QR Code
- Interference: Environmental factors such as electromagnetic interference or radio frequency interference can disrupt the scanning process
- User Error: The person attempting to scan might be positioning the device incorrectly, scanning from a wrong angle, or using incompatible scanning settings
If you still have questions related to this topic, feel free to reach out to our customer relations team at support@scanova.io