Which Types of Phones and Browsers Are Most Commonly Used to Scan QR Codes?
Sally Wright
Sep 13, 2023
QR codes are designed to make it easy for people to move from a printed or physical item to digital content. A customer can point their phone at a Shopify QR code on a product package, poster, menu, business card, or sign and open the linked content within seconds.
But what happens after someone scans the code can depend on the device and browser they are using.
For businesses, knowing which phones and browsers people use to access QR code content can be useful when planning campaigns. It can help you test your landing pages, identify compatibility issues, and create a better experience for customers.
There is no single device or browser that every QR code campaign should be built around. However, iPhones and Android smartphones make up the majority of modern mobile devices, while browsers such as Safari and Chrome are commonly used to open QR code destinations.
The most useful data, however, is the data from your own audience. QR code tracking can show you which devices and browsers are actually being used to interact with your campaigns.
TL;DR
- iPhones and Android smartphones are the main devices used for QR code scanning.
- QR codes themselves generally work across modern smartphones without needing different versions for each device.
- Safari and Chrome are commonly used to open QR code destinations.
- The camera or QR scanner usually detects the code, while a browser opens the resulting web page.
- Device and browser information can help businesses improve mobile landing pages.
- Testing QR campaigns across different phones and browsers can help prevent technical problems.
- QR code tracking provides useful information about how your audience interacts with campaigns.
- QR Codes Unlimited can help businesses track QR code scans and use scan data to improve future campaigns.
What Phones Are Most Commonly Used to Scan QR Codes?
Most QR code scans today happen through smartphones. Modern phones usually have QR code recognition built into the camera or operating system, so users do not necessarily need to download a separate scanning app.
iPhones and iOS Devices
iPhones are one of the most common types of phones used to scan QR codes. Apple's native Camera app can recognize QR codes, allowing users to scan a code without installing a dedicated QR scanner.
When a QR code contains a website URL, the user can tap the notification that appears after scanning to open the destination.
For businesses, this means QR code landing pages should be tested on iPhones to make sure the page loads correctly and important elements such as buttons, forms, images, and videos work as expected.
Android Phones
Android smartphones are another major group of devices used for QR code scanning. Android covers a much wider range of manufacturers and models, so the exact experience can vary between devices.
Many modern Android phones can recognize QR codes directly through the camera or built-in scanning features. Depending on the phone and the user's settings, the resulting link may open in Chrome, Samsung Internet, or another browser.
Because Android devices come in different screen sizes and hardware configurations, testing a QR code campaign on more than one Android phone can be useful.
Other Mobile Devices
QR codes can also be accessed using tablets and other devices with camera and QR recognition capabilities. However, smartphones are generally the most important devices to consider when creating QR code campaigns for customers.
The important thing is not to create a separate QR code for every phone. A properly generated free QR code can generally be scanned by different modern smartphones. The bigger concern is whether the content users reach after scanning works properly on their device.
What Browsers Do People Use After Scanning a QR Code?
It is important to separate scanning the QR code from opening the QR code destination.
In many cases, the phone's camera or QR scanning feature detects the code first. If the code contains a website URL, the resulting link is then opened in a browser.
Safari
Safari is Apple's default web browser and is widely used on iPhones and iPads.
An iPhone user may scan a QR code with the Camera app and then open the linked page in Safari. This makes Safari an important browser to consider when testing QR code landing pages.
Businesses should check whether their pages display correctly on smaller screens and whether forms, buttons, menus, and other interactive elements work properly.
Google Chrome
Google Chrome is widely used on Android phones and is also available on iPhones.
A QR code that leads to a website may open in Chrome depending on the user's device and browser preferences. Chrome should therefore be included when testing QR code campaigns, particularly when a large part of your audience uses Android devices.
Samsung Internet and Other Mobile Browsers
Not every Android user relies on Chrome. Samsung Internet and other mobile browsers are also used by smartphone owners.
Firefox and other browsers can also open QR code destinations. The exact browser mix will depend on your audience, location, device preferences, and campaign.
This is one reason why tracking your own QR scans can be more useful than relying only on general assumptions about browser usage.
Do iPhones and Android Phones Scan QR Codes Differently?
The QR code itself does not normally need to be different for an iPhone and an Android phone.
The difference is mainly in how each device detects the code and what happens after the scan.
For example, an iPhone user may scan a code using the Camera app and open the destination in Safari. An Android user may scan the same code using the camera and open the destination in Chrome.
This is why mobile compatibility matters. A QR code may scan perfectly while the page it opens is slow, difficult to navigate, or poorly formatted on a particular device.
Why Should You Track the Devices and Browsers Used for QR Scans?
Tracking QR code scans gives you more information than simply knowing how many times a code was scanned.
Identify the Devices Your Audience Uses
If your analytics show that most scans come from smartphones, you can prioritize mobile testing. If one device category is particularly common among your audience, it makes sense to pay extra attention to that experience.
This can be especially useful for campaigns connected to product packaging, menus, retail displays, events, or printed marketing materials.
Improve Mobile Landing Pages
A QR code usually sends users to a specific destination. That page needs to work well on a small screen.
Device information can help you prioritize improvements such as easier navigation, readable text, appropriately sized buttons, faster loading, and mobile-friendly forms.
Find Browser Compatibility Problems
Sometimes the QR code itself is not the problem. The issue may occur after the scan.
For example, a landing page might work properly in one browser but have problems with an interactive feature in another. Browser information can help narrow down where to investigate when users report problems.
Make Compatibility Testing More Practical
You do not necessarily need to test every possible phone and browser combination before launching a campaign.
Instead, your scan data can help you understand which devices and browsers matter most to your audience. You can then prioritize those environments when testing your QR code destination.
How Can You Track QR Code Scans by Device and Browser?
The simplest approach is to use a QR code solution that provides scan analytics.
With QR Codes Unlimited, businesses can create QR codes and track scan activity to better understand how their audience interacts with them. For Shopify users, the QR Codes Unlimited app can provide useful scan information that can be used when evaluating QR campaigns.
Once a QR code is being used, the collected data can help you understand patterns in your audience's scanning behavior.
Instead of guessing whether your customers are primarily using iPhones, Android phones, or particular browsers, you can use available analytics to guide your decisions.
This can be particularly useful when running multiple QR campaigns. You can compare the performance of different codes and use what you learn to improve future campaigns.
How Should You Test a QR Code Before Launching?
Before printing thousands of QR codes or placing one on a major marketing campaign, test the complete experience.
Scan the code using an iPhone and at least one Android phone. Open the destination in commonly used browsers and check that the page loads correctly.
Pay attention to:
- Page loading speed
- Text readability
- Buttons and links
- Forms
- Images and videos
- Redirects
- Mobile navigation
- Interactive features
- Checkout or other important actions
Also test the QR code from the same distance and angle customers are likely to use in the real world.
A successful QR campaign is not just about creating a code that scans. The destination needs to provide a smooth experience once the scan is complete.
Conclusion
There is no single phone or browser that every QR code campaign needs to target. iPhones and Android smartphones are the main devices to consider, while Safari, Chrome, and other mobile browsers can be part of the experience after a scan.
The more important question is what your own audience is using.
Tracking QR code scans can give you useful information about device and browser patterns, helping you decide where to focus compatibility testing and mobile optimization. By looking beyond the number of scans and understanding how people interact with your QR codes, you can create campaigns that are easier and more reliable for customers to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What phones are most commonly used to scan QR codes?
iPhones and Android smartphones are the main types of phones used for modern QR code scanning. The exact device breakdown can vary depending on the audience and campaign.
2. Do iPhones and Android phones scan QR codes differently?
They can use different camera and scanning features, but the same QR code can generally be used on both. The main differences are usually related to the scanning interface and what happens after the code is detected.
3. Which browsers are commonly used after scanning a QR code?
Safari and Chrome are commonly used mobile browsers. Other browsers, including Samsung Internet and Firefox, may also be used depending on the customer's device and preferences.
4. Can QR codes track the device used to scan them?
A QR code itself does not automatically provide detailed analytics. A tracking-enabled QR code solution can collect information about scans and, depending on the service, provide device and browser-related data.
5. How can I test a QR code on different devices?
Scan the QR code using different iPhone and Android devices before launching your campaign. Check the complete destination experience, including page speed, navigation, forms, buttons, and other interactive elements.
6. Can QR Codes Unlimited track QR code scans?
QR Codes Unlimited provides QR code tracking features that can help businesses understand scan activity and use that information to improve their campaigns.
7. Is QR Codes Unlimited free to use?
QR Codes Unlimited offers a free QR code generator and tracking solution. Check the current product features and plan details to confirm which tracking features are available for your specific use case.
