How to Make a QR Code on iPhone [Without an App]

In 2017, Apple rolled out QR Code scanning as a native feature on iOS 11 from it’s camera app. 

The very next year, Apple launched the Shortcuts app with iOS 12. This went a step ahead and let users create a QR Code on the iPhone. But, this option isn’t a QR Code maker. Rather, it’s a feature to create QR Codes for limited file types. 

Now depending upon your use case, this QR Code generated via the Shortcuts app could severely restrict your usage: 

1. You cannot link any other file type such as audio, video, etc.
2. The process is difficult and not user-friendly
3. You cannot customize the QR Code by any means
4. Requires iOS 12 or later versions

One simple way to overcome these issues is using a QR Code maker like Beaconstac. You can easily create free static QR Codes that aren’t editable or trackable. You can also create dynamic QR Codes that you can customize, edit after printing, and track scans, etc.

With Beaconstac, you can make a QR Code on iPhone as well as on your desktop. Here’s an easy guide detailing how to do it. 

Table of contents

1. How to make a QR Code for iPhone
2. Should you make your iPhone QR Code static or dynamic? 
3. Best practices to make a QR Code on iPhone
4. Frequently asked questions

How to make a QR Code on iPhone

Here’s how to make a QR Code on iPhone: Using Safari, Chrome or the browser of your choice, open Beaconstac’s dashboard. If you do not have an account, you can easily sign up for the 14-day free trial. 

Before you begin: The dashboard options are similar in an iPhone display as on desktop. For this demonstration, we will be showing you how to make a QR Code using the desktop version. 

Of the many use cases or types of files that you can link a QR Code to, let’s consider a website.

1: Go to the Beaconstac dashboard and click “+Create” 

2: Open the website you want to share and copy the URL 

3: On the dashboard, select the campaign as “Website”

4: Insert the website URL in the provided box

5: Customize the QR Code and add a logo

6: Test the QR Code and download it in the required format

With these easy steps, you should be able to download a QR Code in your required format.

Static or Dynamic: Which type of QR Code should you make on iPhone?

You can generate a static QR Code using Shortcuts app on the iPhone as well as Beaconstac. But static QR Codes come with limitations, such as the inability to add a logo, track scans, or edit the content that the QR Code leads to. 

Can I generate a QR Code on iPhone using the shortcuts app?

Using Shortcuts on iOS (which requires iOS 12 and above ), you need to generate a prompt to make a QR Code. The process is lengthy and requires manually switching the prompt between text and URL for the QR Code to lead to. 

But, static QR Codes do not let you:  

1. Customize this QR Code 
2. Change the content that the QR Code leads to
3. Create a QR Code for any other file type 
4. Resize the QR Code

Hence, using Shortcuts to make a QR Code on iPhone may be more limiting than beneficial. To avoid these setbacks and unlock more features, dynamic QR Codes are your go-to.

With Beaconstac, you can easily create a dynamic QR Code on your iPhone. This is a QR Code generator that works on Safari, or a browser of your choice on iOS. With this you can:

1. Create a QR Code for different file types such as audio, PDF, app download, etc.
2. Extensively customize and add a logo to the QR Code
3. Edit the content that the QR Code leads to
4. Monitor the number of scans, duration of engagement, etc. 

With the option to download it in high resolution formats, you can use them across physical materials such as flyers, brochures, or other marketing material.

Best practices to generate a QR Code on iPhone

Now that you know how making a QR Code on iPhone is easier with Beaconstac, compared to the Shortcuts app- it’s important to note down some best practices prior to sharing your QR Code. 

Here is a checklist to keep in mind:

Make a QR Code on iPhone with Beaconstac

Easily make a QR Code on iPhone using Beaconstac and benefit from dynamic QR Codes, which isn’t possible with the Shortcuts app. 

Create multiple QR Codes, enable password protection, edit the content anytime, and make sharing safer with SOC 2 Type 2 security. 

If you’re wondering how to make a QR Code on iPhone, shift from the Shortcuts option and get started on Beaconstac. 

Here’s how you can try it out for yourself with our 14-day free trial. 

Frequently asked questions

1. How to make QR Code for a video in camera roll?

Yes, you can easily make a QR Code for a video in camera roll in 5 steps:

1. Upload the video on a cloud platform, or convert the file to URL using a file converter
2. Log in to the Beaconstac dashboard and click “+ Create” and “QR Codes”
3. Choose “Website” as your campaign
4. Insert the URL of the video in the provided box
5. Customize the QR Code, save changes, and download

2. Does iPhone have a QR Code generator?

No. Apple products such as iPhone, iMac or iPad do not come with an inbuilt QR Code generator. You can generate a QR Code using the Shortcuts app, but they’re restrictive and static in nature. They also allow you to only create QR Codes for text or URLs. 

3. Can I save a QR Code on my iPhone?

You can save a QR Code on your iPhone by clicking on the home button and volume button simultaneously to take a screenshot. If you generate a QR Code on Safari or Chrome on QR Code generators, you can choose the desired format and click on ‘download’ to save the QR Code.

• Author Details

Author Details

Navya Muralidhar

Navya is an ardent writer focusing on the benefits of QR Codes for businesses. She has been writing about QR Code topics into action oriented guides since 2019. Presently, she helps people understand the benefits of paid QR Code solutions as a powerful marketing tool. To know more about her work around QR Codes, click here.

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