10 Practical Uses of QR Codes in Everyday Life

QR codes can simplify tasks and help us access helpful information with just a scan. The rising number of smartphone users plays a crucial role in elevating the use of QR codes. Studies predict that between 2022 and 2025, the number of U.S. consumers who use their smartphones to scan QR codes will grow by 16 million. 

This shows how QR codes are becoming an integral part of day-to-day lives. When scanned, they take you directly to digital content like websites, payment screens, or contact information. Since almost everyone has a smartphone to scan the QR code, it enhances efficiency in everyday tasks.

Here are the ten ways you can use QR codes in everyday life to simplify your tasks.

1. Contactless payments

Payment QR codes facilitate digital money transactions in our daily lives. Instead of carrying a wallet, you can simply scan or show your QR code to pay or receive money without using physical cash or a card. 

QR codes make contactless payments easy. First, scanning the QR code with your smartphone takes you to a payment screen. You must confirm the amount and send money by entering your payment app’s PIN. Similarly, show your QR code on your phone to receive payment. Using QR codes for payment is a secure way of transferring or receiving money digitally. 

2. Digital business cards

QR codes make sharing contact information easy and quick. They are the best addition to physical business cards as using digital business cards expands the scope of storing all information more than your professional details. You show your digital business card QR code, and others scan it to get your contact details on their phone.

You can easily update your information on a digital business card and share it with anyone. See how to create digital business cards professionally. 

3. Direct call 

In emergencies, it can be confusing to know whom to call first for help. Creating a QR code for phone calls can simplify the process. By scanning the QR code, you can quickly contact the right person. When you scan the QR code, your phone will prompt you to make a call, and you can press the call button to proceed.

For example, you have a car repair shop on the highway. You can create a QR code for a phone call to help people in need quickly make a call, especially in emergencies.

4. Text message

QR codes for text messages simplify sending texts in everyday life. The main goal of an SMS QR code is to let people send a text message. You can decide what text message and phone number to write while creating it.

After scanning the QR code, the phone number and the message to be sent will automatically pop up. This will save the effort of opening your messaging app or typing the message. 

For example, suppose you are a broker and want people to connect with you. You can create an SMS QR code with the pre-filled information, Mobile No. “+41 788954125” and a message “Hii! I am looking for an apartment to rent. Can you assist me in finding a home in the ABCD locality?” This will make it easier for customers to contact you without typing.

5. Email

QR codes for emails contain your email ID, subject, and message. When you scan the QR code, it opens your email app and sets up a new message. For example, scanning a QR code on the image above will open an email to support@qrcodechimp.com that inquires about the “pricing plans.”

You can print QR codes on invitation cards or marketing materials so people can send emails to ask questions and inquiries.

6. Wi-Fi credentials

You must have faced situations where guests come to you and ask for a Wi-Fi password. But being smart, you will prefer a secure shortcut to help them connect to your Wi-Fi. Right? QR codes for Wi-Fi can help you avoid repeating your password.

You can do that by using a QR code generator for Wi-Fi. First, enter your network name (SSID) and password, choose the encryption type, and customize and save the QR code.

7. Social media 

Everyone is looking for reach on the internet. With the tough competition to get reach, creating a QR code for social media is a simple way for people to follow you online. Scanning a QR code can redirect users to your social media profiles, helping more people find and follow you.

8. Link sharing

QR codes for URLs are standard in our daily routines and are among the most practical uses of QR codes in everyday life. They make sharing websites and documents fast. 

You can turn any website link, like a Google Document or an educational site, into a QR code. Then, others can easily open the link by scanning the QR code with their phones.

9. Sharing files

Want to share a PDF file? Share the PDF using a QR code. People can scan the QR code with their phones to download it.

This method is suitable for distributing instructional guides, research papers, how-to tutorials, and other educational content.

Instead of printing many pages, you can display a PDF QR code; anyone needing the information can scan and access it on their device.

10. QR code for medicines and diet plans

QR codes can also simplify healthcare management, such as scheduling medicines and diet plans with “smart QR codes” that adapt based on the time of day. 

Imagine having one QR code that does the job of many. This saves you from creating multiple QR codes for different times or days.

For example, you can use a QR code to maintain your daily medicine schedule. With smart rules, the same QR code can direct you to your morning medicines when you scan them in the morning and to your night medicines when you scan them at night.

Conclusion

Using QR codes in everyday life simplifies personal tasks and activities. Whether making payments, accessing Wi-Fi, or managing schedules, QR codes streamline how we share and access important information. 

Adding QR codes to your daily routine can save time and reduce hassle. Knowing these ten uses of QR codes will help simplify your daily tasks. 

Frequently asked questions