Scanning a QR code without your phone requires a little help from Google or a webcam.

QR codes can house a whole lot of data, from the URL of a webpage or service, to where to directly download an app. Here's how to scan them.

QR codes are easy to use if you know how to access the information they contain and have an internet connection. Here are a few ways to access QR code information using your iPhone with iOS 16.

QR codes are a close cousin of the bar codes on product packaging that cashiers scan with infrared scanners to let the checkout computer know what products are being purchased.

So it's got to be a more recent model to work. You can still circle the QR code to find the URL it goes to if it doesn't automatically scan on your phone.

TECH How to scan a QR code with your iPhone or Android phone (no apps needed) QR codes are those pixelated squares you see in restaurants, advertisements, stores, food packaging, business cards ...

QR codes are a close cousin of the bar codes on product packaging that cashiers scan with infrared scanners to let the checkout computer know what products are being purchased.

QR codes store information in both vertical and horizontal axes, which allows them to hold significantly more data. That extra amount of data is what makes QR codes so versatile.

QR codes are a close cousin of the bar codes on product packaging that cashiers scan with infrared scanners to let the checkout computer know what products are being purchased.

Some developers would lead you to believe you need to download their app to scan QR codes. Spoiler: Your phone can do that with built-in features.