Created QR code at express.adobe.com/tools/qr-code-generator — but it won't scan

[Rob29060101gtud]

I created a QR code at https://express.adobe.com/tools/qr-code-generator, but Android cameras don't recognize it unless you go turn on Google Lens.

I tried scanning half a dozen other QR codes around my house, and they all work by just pointing the camera at them.

What's wrong with the Adobe Express QR codes? Is there anything I can do (other than generating QR codes elsewhere)?

[Amitej S]

Hi @Rob,

Welcome to the Adobe Express Community!

I tried scanning an Adobe Express-generated QR code from a Samsung & Pixel device, and it worked fine. Pointing the camera app to the QR code showed me the embedded link. There was no need to go through the Google Lens workflow. 

I'd recommend you update the mobile OS and system apps, including Adobe Express, to check if that makes a difference.

Let us know how it goes.

Best,

Amitej

[Henrik Heigl]

Hi,

For me The Adobe QR Code Generator works fine every time I use it with Android and iPhone. You can try to Update your phone or look if the given URL for the QR Code really works or if there is a character missing or something. Also you can try other URLs to test it on the screen. Hope that helps

[emeliasmith3]

Open the app and tap.

Select Document as the capture mode. It displays a QR code icon at the top-right corner.

Set the optional settings as desired.

Focus the camera on the QR code that you want to scan.

[Rob29060101gtud]

@Amitej S & everone else.

Thanks for the replies, but suggesting I update my phone doesn't really fix the problem of a QR code not working on some phones. I can't tell everyone who might see this QR code — to update their phone (or in my case, buy a new one because my Android OS is maxed out on my phone) — in order to follow my link. The whole point of QR codes is that anyone can follow them.

I did try a phone running a newer version of Android, and it worked fine. But again, there's no point in using a QR code that doesn't work for everybody.

I tried generating a new code, but the same code was generated for the same URL, so I guess that's out. I guess I'll just have to use a different QR code generator that doesn't have this problem.

[Madelyn Foley]

I had the same issue. My phone registers other QR codes but not one I created through Adobe. I tried other QRs first thinking they maybe an issue with my phone, they worked. Then I thought it might be an issue with the pdf/link itself, so I tried a different generator and that QR generator created a functional code. I think this is an Adobe issue not something to be dealt with on the consumers end.

[Hook Is Working]

I'm having the exact same issue. I generated a qr code through adobe express. Apple devices will scan the code and it seems as if it's going to the right url, but the page will never load. However, if I just type in the url on any phone, it loads just fine. 

[Amitej S]

@Hook Is Working @Madelyn Foley @Rob29060101gtud Thanks for the responses! 
Let me bring this up with the team, and then I'll update here about it. 

[Amitej S]

Hi @Hook Is Working, @Rob29060101gtud @Madelyn Foley,

Please let us know if you're still having trouble with this issue.

[Madelyn Foley]

@Amitej S Thank you for checking in. Yes, I still have the same issue with phones not recognizing the QR as a QR code.

[Rebecca22921816af2d]

I too am struggling with this. Adobe if we can fix this it would be great!! I have a Motorola for work and it does not work unless we use google lens. I would perfer to use Adobe QR code maker but it is just not working on all phones. 

[Amitej S]

Hi all, 

We need some more information to investigate this issue. Let us know about 

1. Android version, device make & model details 
2. Workflow to generate the QR code, if/what Style/Color are you selecting.
3. What URL is used for generating the QR code?
   
   Thanks,

Amitej

[Amitej S]

Hey, @emeliasmith3 @Hook Is Working @Madelyn Foley @Rebecca22921816af2d @Rob29060101gtud, Please let us know if you're still having trouble with this issue. If yes, please drop in the required details for us to investigate.

Thanks,

Amitej 

[Rob29060101gtud]

@Amitej S , yes the problem is still occurring.

Just created a new QR code, and it's not recognized as such my the camera on my Moto G Power 2020, running Android 11.

The same camera has no problem recognizing any other QR code I've ever found. It's only a problem with Adobe-generated QR codes.

[Amitej S]

Hey @Rob29060101gtud,  Can you please share these details for us to investigate?

1. Android version, device make & model details. 
2. Workflow to generate the QR code, if/what Style/Color are you selecting.
3. What URL is used for generating the QR code?

[cathyh59703329]

Hello All, we are having a similar issue where the QR Code generated by Adobe Express (JPG or PNG format) is not readable by the Windows 10 camera app. It is readable by cell phone.  Other QR Codes to the same URL are readable from the camera app (version 2023.2312.3.0).    In Adobe Express, I have tried all styles with the same result.  Any suggestions? Our students all created QR codes to their projects only to discover that they are not usable.

[Jamie37501249sr3y]

My QR code is not working either same description as other posts. I created it with standard settings and it appears to scan on multiple Apple cellphones but the link does not open. The link is a YouTube video link, https://youtu.be/EdvvC-fHUGI. I was able to create a QR code using QR Code Generator that works but I do not want to pay for another app when I am already paying for Adobe apps.

[Kasuun A.]

Hello Amiej,

I used the Adobe Express QR code generator in 2023 and again recently, but the issue still persists. I tried generating a simple website URL QR code, and the problem remains. When I used other QR code generators, the codes worked perfectly. This issue seems to be specific to Adobe Express.

We can't expect QR code scanners to rely on Google Lens or specific phones, models, or devices. If a device is compatible with scanning QR codes, the Adobe Express QR code should work regardless of any other specifications. This issue occurs without any modifications, just with a simple format, so in my opinion, it's a significant problem.

By the way, my phone is a Motorola.