You don't need your phone to open a QR code. You probably already know how to scan a QR code with your phone. It's simple enough: just open the camera app, point your phone at the code, and tap ...

To avoid this threat, you should use trusted apps provided by the device manufacturer to scan QR codes and avoid downloading custom QR code apps.

QR codes are a close cousin of the bar codes on product packaging that cashiers scan with infrared scanners to let the checkout computer know what products are being purchased.

Soon, you'll be able to use the Snipping Tool to scan QR codes in screenshots, finally giving you an easy way to use them on PC. You'll also be able to use Windows 11's emojis to annotate screenshots.

WhatsApp may be primarily a smartphone app, but it is easy to use on your computer using the WhatsApp Desktop app for Windows PC or Mac. Here’s how.

Scanning a QR code without your phone requires a little help from Google or a webcam.

QR codes store information in both vertical and horizontal axes, which allows them to hold significantly more data. That extra amount of data is what makes QR codes so versatile.

QR codes are a close cousin of the bar codes on product packaging that cashiers scan with infrared scanners to let the checkout computer know what products are being purchased.

QR codes are designed to be scanned using a camera, such as those found on your smartphone. QR code scanning is built into many camera apps for Android and iOS.