How to Create and Scan QR Codes on Chromebook

Chromebooks are pretty QR code-friendly. Here is how you can generate a QR code and scan it using your Chromebook.

Quick Response codes, or QR codes for short, are advanced barcodes that contain more information than a traditional barcode. These codes are two-dimensional, allowing you to scan them vertically or horizontally.

You can use QR codes to interpret or convey information such as simple text, URLs, payment information, Wi-Fi authentication, and more.

So, let's take a look at the various methods to create and scan these super handy codes on your Chromebook.

Creating a QR Code on a Chromebook

There are a couple of easy ways to generate QR codes on your Chromebook.

Using the Google Chrome Browser

This method is the easiest as you don't have to use any third-party app or service. You can create QR codes for different websites and Google Play app links right from the default browser.

Open the website or Google Play page that you want your QR code to open. Click twice in the address bar, and you'll see a couple of new icons appear at the right-hand corner.

The square-shaped icon, which looks like a Windows logo, is the one you can use to create a QR code. Click on the icon and download the QR code.

By default, Chrome saves the files in the Downloads folder.

RELATED: How to Create a QR Code Using Fast QR Code

Using a Third-Party QR Code Generator

You may find tons of excellent QR code generators online. These generators let you create codes for URLs, vCards, Wi-Fi, SMS, App Stores, and a lot more. You just have to click on the type of QR code you want to generate and enter the data in the given fields to create one.

Here are a couple of solid QR code generators on the web:

You can also install and check out these Android apps that are specially designed for this purpose.

Download: QR Code Generator (Free, in-app purchases available)

Download: QR Generator Pro (Free, in-app purchases available)

Scanning a QR Code on a Chromebook

As with creating QR codes, there are various methods available to scan them as well.

Using the Camera App

Chromebooks come with a pre-installed Camera app that has a feature to scan QR codes. Click on the Launcher at the bottom-left corner to open the app drawer.

Now, click on the Caret icon (^) to expand the app drawer, where you'll find the Camera app. Once you have opened the app, locate the same square-shaped QR code icon on the screen. It is usually located at the top-right corner.

As soon as you click the icon, your Camera app will be ready to scan QR codes. Just place one in front of your Chromebook's webcam, and it will scan the code for you.

Using Third-Party Apps and Services

With the growing popularity of QR codes, you'll find many apps and services to scan these codes. Check out these Android apps with more than 100 million downloads and excellent ratings on the Play Store:

Download: QR & Barcode Scanner (Free)

Download: QR & Barcode Reader (Free, in-app purchases available)

If you are not down with the idea of installing a dedicated app for this menial task, you can use an online service as well.

Make Full Use of QR Codes on Your Chromebook

As you have seen, Google has made the Chromebook pretty compatible with QR code technology. You can use the methods mentioned above to utilize this technology fully and integrate it wherever you want.

QR codes are not only used to share text, URLs, and other data. You can also try out some fun things with the QR codes you generate on your Chromebook.

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