Scanning QR Codes With Your iPhone Is About to Get Easier in iOS 17

[MacRumors]

When Apple releases iOS 17 in the fall, anyone who tends to use their iPhone's camera to scan QR codes can expect to find the process a little easier, thanks to a small but significant change coming in Apple's latest mobile operating system.

Apple first introduced iPhone Camera app support for QR code scanning in iOS 11. Back then, the URL link that the QR code generated would appear as though it was a push notification at the top of the screen.

Perhaps because this implementation was inelegant or confusing for some users, Apple in iOS 13 decided to redesign QR code scanning so that the link appeared as a yellow button within the camera viewfinder itself. However, in doing so, it created a new problem: The button would rove around in the viewfinder if the camera lens was also in motion, which made tapping it even more tricky than before.

Thankfully, in iOS 17, Apple has made another small, and this time welcome, change that improves the situation immeasurably. Now when you scan a QR code, the link button automatically appears at the bottom of the Camera interface. So instead of chasing the dancing link around the viewfinder, you can simply tap its fixed location above the shutter button.

In fact, there is a way you can get the QR code link to behave in a similar manner in iOS 16: As soon as you move the camera so that the QR code is no longer within the shot, it should drop to the bottom of the viewfinder and stay there. Still, when iOS 17 arrives later this year, you'll no longer need to perform this additional action to successfully tame an itinerant link.

Article Link: Scanning QR Codes With Your iPhone Is About to Get Easier in iOS 17

 

[usersince86]

Simple changes are often the best. In fact, simplicity in general is often best.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Good that it's becoming easier.

 

[jimbobb24]

I would make it bigger but this is a nice change

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

Does anyone know if it's persistent or not, or at least hang about for a couple of seconds? Apart from the button chasing, the thing that annoyed me was that it could disappear too quickly.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

I hope it carries over to iPhoneOS 17 for iPhones, as well.

 

[ikjadoon]

Apple in iOS 13: "Any AR is good AR, even if it's a gimmick: make the button follow the QR code!"

 

[haruhiko]

It wasn't floating at the start, I don't know who made it that way, which is counter-intuitive. Who would use their thumb to chase the link all the time? And don't you dare to copy the link for later use, it's even more counter-intuitive in the current way.

 

[mattopotamus]

Does anyone know if it's persistent or not, or at least hang about for a couple of seconds? Apart from the button chasing, the thing that annoyed me was that it could disappear too quickly.

Just tested it, and the link stays there even when you look away from the QR code for about 5-7 seconds.

 

[vOne1]

It's not much different as now. If you hold your iPhone in front of an QR code, and right after that remove it, the link will go to the bottom for you to press. The only difference I see now, is that it will go to the bottom right away. Easier, sure

 

[1800AirTAG]

Or just use the built in “QR scanner” app which scans and auto redirects to the linked item.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Wow! Happy Apple has made it easier and more efficient at the same time. Sometimes it’s a struggle to find the QR scanner code.

 

[madler]

Good, but why isn't there a native way to read a QR code from a photo?

 

[Arsenikdote]

Does anyone else have the issue that if you use the QR option from Control Center that it struggles with focusing? It feels like they removed auto-focus if you launch the camera using the QR option. Maybe I can just get rid of that Control Center option, I thought maybe it helped with the system not getting rid of the link so easily, so maybe I will just get rid of the button from Control Center.

 

[boak]

I would make it bigger but this is a nice change

This lol

 

[Octavius8]

In IOS 15 or 14?. it worked automatically. You scanned and it opened the link. Now the elegant solution is a 2 step process. All Android phones do it in a single step and nobody is angry at “hard to take photo of a QR code” (but we are at the hard to scan a QR code). That dancing of the code is proof that Apple executives does not use their products. 3 years or more to come up with that solution????.

 

[Lyrics23]

Good, but why isn't there a native way to read a QR code from a photo?

Or even straight from any QR code on-screen. Taking a screenshot would be perfect, if it recognised QR-codes (& text recognition) right there as another actionable option.

Better than taking a screenshot, letting iCloud Photos sync, opening the screenshot on a different device, then using the camera to look at that screen, then deleting the original screenshot.

 

[Kazgarth]

I just tried to scan that picture on my iOS 16 iPhone and the link appeared at the bottom of the camera screen.

 

[SpringKid]

Or just use the built in “QR scanner” app which scans and auto redirects to the linked item.

The what app now?

 

[haruhiko]

In IOS 15 or 14?. it worked automatically. You scanned and it opened the link. Now the elegant solution is a 2 step process. All Android phones do it in a single step and nobody is angry at “hard to take photo of a QR code” (but we are at the hard to scan a QR code). That dancing of the code is proof that Apple executives does not use their products. 3 years or more to come up with that solution????.

Security!

 

[SpringKid]

I just tried to scan that picture on my iOS 16 iPhone and the link appeared at the bottom of the camera screen.

It moves to the bottom if you stop scanning the QR code.

 

[boak]

What happens when there are multiple QR codes?

 

[SpringKid]

What happens when there are multiple QR codes?

It will pick the one coming into focus first.

 

[Rob__Mac]

That's not new? The static yellow button came in last year or the year before… I remember it getting easier to scan menus during Covid!

 

[SpringKid]

That's not new? The static yellow button came in last year or the year before… I remember it getting easier to scan menus during Covid!

It’s becomes static only after you have stopped scanning it.