What's the deal with QR codes?

What’s the deal with QR (quick response) codes? They’re everywhere, and with good reason. 
Imagine there was an easy way to jump to websites, schedules, menus—anything, really—without having to type a web address into your browser. I know I’ve been midway through a long website URL and made a mistake, only to have to start over. Or, my typo will send me to a page with similar spelling, and still, I have to start over. It’s a small tedium, not the end of the world. But there’s a simple solution: the QR code. This article will explain what QR codes are, how to use them, and why they’re kinda great. Using them is easy. You just have to know how. 
 
On Apple phones  

• Open the Camera app.
• Select the rear-facing camera (as if you’re taking a regular photo—not a selfie).
• Hold your phone so that the QR code appears in the viewfinder (you’ll see a yellow bracket or small frame appear).
• Your device will recognize the QR code and show a pop-up link.
• Tap the notification that pops up (it’s a link to a website). You should now be on the site the QR code is linked to. 

You can also add a code scanner to your iPhone’s Control Center to make it even easier to scan QR codes in the future: 

• Go to Settings, then, Control Center.
• Tap the green plus button next to Code Scanner. 
  Now you can access the scanner quickly from your Control Center. 
  

• Open the Camera app (most newer Android phones have an integrated QR scanner).
• Point the camera at the QR code and make sure it’s centered.
• Wait for recognition. A notification will pop up—this is the website linked to the QR code.
• Tap the notification to open the link and go to the site. 

If your phone runs Android 9 or later, you can also use Google Lens: 

• Open the Camera app and point it at the QR code. On many phones, Google Lens will automatically detect the link and display it.
  

If your device doesn’t support Lens directly through the camera, you can open the Google app, tap the Lens icon, and scan the code that way. 

The QR code was invented in Japan in 1994 by a company called Denso Wave. It was originally used to track automotive parts and improve manufacturing efficiency. The QR code grew in popularity because it could store far more information than a standard barcode. 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, QR codes have become even more common across industries as a way to support contactless interactions, from digital menus to touch-free payments. Even Unison News uses them! Why not give it a try?