3 Ways to Scan Barcodes and QR Codes on Android

In today’s digital world, barcodes and QR codes pop up everywhere, whether we notice them or not. If you're not familiar with these terms, let's break it down quickly.

A barcode is a set of optical data that machines can read. It's made up of lines of different widths and spaces, which is why it’s called a bar code.

A QR code, which stands for Quick Response, is a two-dimensional code that can store loads of information—up to thousands of characters. It’s made up of tiny squares and spaces arranged in a grid, with each part having a specific purpose.

Now, let's dive into a few ways to scan barcodes and QR codes on your Android phone. Ready? Let’s get started!

Using the Built-in Scanner App

Scanning barcodes and QR codes is super simple if your Android phone comes with a pre-installed scanner app. First, check if your phone has a scanner app. For this example, I'll demonstrate using the "Scan QR Code" app on the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G.

To start, open the "Scan QR Code" app on your phone. Then, aim the main camera at the QR code you want to scan.

In just a few seconds, the content of the QR code will appear. For instance, if the QR code links to a website, your phone will display the URL.

To visit the website, just tap the “Open link” button.

And that’s it! You'll be directed to the website linked in the QR code. Pretty straightforward, right?

Using Google Lens

If your phone doesn't have a scanner app, you can use Google Lens, a smart tool from Google that uses image recognition to show information about objects it identifies. Here’s how to use Google Lens to scan a barcode or QR code:

1. Install Google Lens

First, download and open the Google Lens app. Get ready with the barcode or QR Code you want to scan. This time, I'll be scanning a card game barcode.

2. Choose the Search Option

When you open Google Lens, you'll see several options like "Translate", "Text", "Search", "Homework", "Shopping", "Places", and "Dining". To get general information about the barcode, select the "Search" option.

3. Scan the Barcode

Next, hold your smartphone with Google Lens open near the barcode. The app will automatically focus on it. Just tap the button that says "Tap the shutter button to search".

Voila! Information about the product will pop up from Google.

Using Online Services

If your phone isn't quite up to the task, you can still scan QR codes and barcodes using a website called Online Barcode Reader. Here’s how to do it:

1. Visit the Online Barcode Reader website

Open a web browser on your device. Then, either search for “Online Barcode Reader” or go directly to their website.

2. Upload the barcode image

Once on the site, you’ll have two options: upload a file (QR Code or Barcode) or enter a URL. For this guide, I’ll upload a barcode image.

3. Start scanning

After uploading the image, click the “Start” button. The scan will complete quickly, and you'll see the results, which could be a code or a link that you can follow.

That’s a wrap on scanning barcodes and QR codes on Android phones. Got any other tricks for scanning? Drop them in the comments!