vcard QR code not working with some Android devices

[Jeffrey_Smith]

There are 2 ways to generate a vcard/QR code in Indesign,

1. Method 1 Type: Business Card

2. Method 2 Type: Plain Text with code:

BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:3.0
FN:First Last
N:Last;First;
END:VCARD

Here's what I have observed:

• Androids can read Method 1 QR code without issue
• Most Androids cannot read Method 2 QR code
• If text code from Indesign's Method 2 is used in other QR code utility, then Androids can read QR code.

It seems as though something is happening in the QR code generation process. You can use Method 2 in a data merge workflow, and is the reason that I would like to continue using this method. I have tried various versions of Indesign. I have tried versions 2.1, 3.0, 4.0 of vcard.

Is there anything else to try in using Method 2 and have QR code read by Android?

[Eugene Tyson]

What version of Android? What handset? What make? 

Are they all the same barcode reading software on all Android devices?

I'd imagine it's more to do with the QR scanner than the QR code itself.

Have you tried any other QR scanner apps on Android?

[Jeffrey_Smith · Accepted solution]

Keep in mind, this issue is not with QR codes in general, but specifically with vcard code placed in the text type of ID to generate QR code.

I have tested with an Android 11 (using just camera) and can read all QR codes generated from ID, including plain text in text type, except I cannot read a QR code of vcard code in text type.

The customer has reported mixed results of Android users able or unable to read QR code, but not giving specific device info.

What I am hoping for is that there might be different syntax within the vcard code that someone has come across and can suggest.