QR Code Types Explained — All Formats with Real Examples

How QR code types work

A QR code stores a plain text string. The "type" is determined by the format of that text string. Scanners and apps recognise these formats and trigger the right action automatically — opening a browser, connecting to WiFi, adding a contact, or dialling a number. Every type can be scanned by any standard QR code scanner, including SafeKit's online scanner.

All QR code types with examples

• URL — Most common type. Example: https://safekit.pro — opens the link in a browser on scan.
• WiFi — Connects a device to a network. Example: WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyNetwork;P:password123;; — phone joins automatically without typing the password.
• vCard (contact) — Adds a contact to your phone. Example: BEGIN:VCARD\nVERSION:3.0\nFN:Jane Smith\nTEL:+447911123456\nEMAIL:jane@example.com\nEND:VCARD
• Email — Opens a compose window. Example: mailto:hello@example.com?subject=Enquiry&body=Hi
• Phone — Dials a number. Example: tel:+447911123456
• SMS — Opens messages with a pre-filled text. Example: sms:+447911123456?body=I%20want%20to%20book
• Location (Geo) — Opens maps at coordinates. Example: geo:51.5074,-0.1278 (opens London on Google Maps)
• Plain Text — Shows a text message. Example: This product expires 2027-01. Used for labels, notes, or instructions.
• App Store link — Opens an app page. Just a URL pointing to apps.apple.com or play.google.com.
• Cryptocurrency payment — Encodes a wallet address. Example: bitcoin:1A1zP1eP5QGefi2DMPTfTL5SLmv7Divf Rc?amount=0.001

What happens when you scan each type on Android or iPhone?

On Android (including Samsung Galaxy devices), the built-in camera app and Google Lens both recognise QR code types and offer the correct action: "Open in Chrome" for URLs, "Connect to network" for WiFi, "Add contact" for vCards, and "Dial number" for phone QR codes. On iPhone, the Camera app does the same via iOS's built-in QR reader. If your device camera does not detect QR codes, you can use SafeKit's online scanner at safekit.pro/qr-code-scanner — it works in Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge without any app installation.

On Samsung Galaxy devices running One UI, open the Camera app and point it at any QR code — a banner appears at the top of the screen with the decoded content and a tap-to-open action. If it does not appear, go to Camera Settings and enable "Scan QR codes".

How to identify a QR code type before scanning it

1. 1Go to safekit.pro/qr-code-scanner in any browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge).
2. 2Upload the QR code image or start the camera.
3. 3The scanner shows the raw decoded text AND labels the type automatically (URL, WiFi, vCard, etc.).
4. 4For a URL type, the full link is shown — check the domain before clicking to verify it is safe.
5. 5For a WiFi type, the SSID and password are displayed clearly so you can type them manually if needed.

Static vs. dynamic QR codes

A static QR code permanently encodes its content — changing the destination requires printing a new QR code. A dynamic QR code stores a short redirect URL; the destination can be changed at any time in a dashboard without reprinting. Dynamic QR codes also track scan analytics. SafeKit generates static QR codes free. For dynamic QR codes with analytics, services like QR Tiger, Beaconstac, and Bitly offer paid plans.

Frequently asked questions about QR code types

• Can I scan a QR code on my phone without an app? Yes — the built-in camera on Android and iPhone reads QR codes natively. Or use safekit.pro/qr-code-scanner in Chrome.
• What QR code type should I use for my business card? Use the vCard type — it adds your full contact details to the scanner's phone in one tap.
• Can one QR code have two types? No — a QR code encodes one text string. However, a URL QR code can link to a page that contains all your information.
• Why does my QR code not scan on Samsung? Make sure "Scan QR codes" is enabled in the Camera app settings, or use a QR scanner app like Google Lens.
• How many characters can a QR code hold? Up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters at the lowest error correction. For best scanning reliability, keep content under 300 characters.

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