Android Enthusiasts
Q&A for enthusiasts and power users of the Android operating system
Latest Questions
0
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How to enable device pairing in Google Messages?
On a `ULEFONE NOTE15` running Android 12, fully up to date, and am trying to get the QR code reader to launch from Google Messages on the phone in order to pair with Google Messages on a desktop computer. I installed the Gamma Play QR code reader to scan the QR code for Google Messages and confirmed...
On a
ULEFONE NOTE15 running Android 12, fully up to date, and am trying to get the QR code reader to launch from Google Messages on the phone in order to pair with Google Messages on a desktop computer.
I installed the Gamma Play QR code reader to scan the QR code for Google Messages and confirmed that, indeed, I am currently using Google Messages.
However, there's no option within the setting for Google Messages as expected in order to pair the phone's Google Messages with the website for desktop access. Scanning the QR code from the website with Gamma Play simply launches a browser on the phone, saying to select device pairing from Google Messages.
There's no such option available from the phone version of Google Messages for some reason.
version messages.android_20250
708_01_RC00.phone.go.dynamic
Shows in app info.
How can I pair this phone with a desktop for SMS?
Nicholas Saunders
(191 rep)
Jul 27, 2025, 05:50 PM
• Last activity: Aug 1, 2025, 08:22 PM
1
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0
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35
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QR code reader/scanner on Pixel lock screen behaves oddly (only flashes momentarily)
Android 14+ allows a QR code scanner to be added to the lock screen (at least on Pixel devices). On a Pixel phone that does not have a SIM and has not yet been connected the the Internet (thus has no Google account), that lock screen QR code reader behaves oddly. When its on-screen button is held do...
Android 14+ allows a QR code scanner to be added to the lock screen (at least on Pixel devices).
On a Pixel phone that does not have a SIM and has not yet been connected the the Internet (thus has no Google account), that lock screen QR code reader behaves oddly. When its on-screen button is held down, it just flashes the QR code reader momentarily, and then goes back to the Android lock screen. No QR codes can be read.
The phone has been factory reset, and the same issue persists. At this time, adding a SIM or connecting to the Internet is not desired.
Is this the expected behaviour, or does the device likely have a problem?
Amazon Dies In Darkness
(4862 rep)
Jun 4, 2025, 12:55 PM
23
votes
5
answers
53988
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How do you pair a Device for Wireless Debugging with a QR Code?
There doesn't seem to be much written on this, but I see an option to pair my device with a QR code scanner. Is there a way to pair my phone with my computer by generating a QR code on my computer and scanning it from my phone? I'm running Ubuntu 20.04. I'm using the Pixel 4a running Android 11. 
joshpetit
(341 rep)
Mar 8, 2021, 11:15 AM
• Last activity: Mar 7, 2025, 03:13 PM
0
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0
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96
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QR Code VCARD with Base64 Image Not Showing in Android Contacts
I'm generating a QR code containing a vCard with contact details, including a base64-encoded profile picture. When I scan the QR code on an Android device, all the contact details are imported except for the image—it doesn't show up in the Contacts app. Does Android’s default Contacts app support ba...
I'm generating a QR code containing a vCard with contact details, including a base64-encoded profile picture. When I scan the QR code on an Android device, all the contact details are imported except for the image—it doesn't show up in the Contacts app. Does Android’s default Contacts app support base64-encoded images in vCard 2.1?
Here's a sample QR code I generated for testing and this works with iPhone:
Gaurav Chauhan
(1 rep)
Mar 6, 2025, 11:28 PM
• Last activity: Mar 7, 2025, 04:12 AM
2
votes
2
answers
10901
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Create a QR code that connects device to wifi SSID & opens a URL?
Many questions regarding QR are from years ago. My question is, will a single QR handle 2 functions. What I'm trying to achieve is. A QR which allows user to connect to my Wi-Fi (Hotspot) AND open a desired website. NOT A CAPTIVE PORTAL.
Many questions regarding QR are from years ago. My question is, will a single QR handle 2 functions.
What I'm trying to achieve is. A QR which allows user to connect to my Wi-Fi (Hotspot) AND open a desired website. NOT A CAPTIVE PORTAL.
Kelvin
(21 rep)
Oct 28, 2022, 10:30 AM
• Last activity: Dec 26, 2024, 02:46 PM
2
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0
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89
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What is the format of the QR codes for pairing IoT devices?
Recent versions of Android offer an option to ["Use a QR code to add a device to this network"][1], whereby the Android device scans a QR code, and this (somehow) provides WiFi connection information to a nearby device. [ ][2] There's a lot of confusion over this option, likely to its similarity to...
Recent versions of Android offer an option to "Use a QR code to add a device to this network" , whereby the Android device scans a QR code, and this (somehow) provides WiFi connection information to a nearby device.
" class="img-fluid rounded" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 10px 0;" loading="lazy">
There's a lot of confusion over this option, likely to its similarity to the
" class="img-fluid rounded" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 10px 0;" loading="lazy">
There's a lot of confusion over this option, likely to its similarity to the WIFI: barcode format which a device can use to connect _itself_ to a WiFi network.
My questions:
1. What exactly is the _format_ of the QR codes which an Android device must scan in order to add a device to the local WiFi network?
2. How does this provisioning process work? How does the Android device find and connect to the IoT device? (My guess would be WiFi Direct and/or Bluetooth, but I'd like to know more details.)
I haven't been able to find any authoritative documentation on the subject.
Dan
(460 rep)
Dec 21, 2024, 04:40 PM
• Last activity: Dec 22, 2024, 07:59 PM
2
votes
0
answers
2005
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Reading a QR code from an image instead of a camera
My device does not have a camera, so all those QR code scanners are useless to me. Is there a way to read a QR code from an image, possibly like an app registering itself as a QR code scanner and it (also) opens image files to scan the QR codes? I prefer not to use online solutions since those onlin...
My device does not have a camera, so all those QR code scanners are useless to me.
Is there a way to read a QR code from an image, possibly like an app registering itself as a QR code scanner and it (also) opens image files to scan the QR codes?
I prefer not to use online solutions since those online sites cannot be registered as a scanner.
yarun can
(153 rep)
Oct 15, 2017, 12:40 AM
• Last activity: Jun 22, 2024, 09:57 PM
10
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3
answers
183530
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Scan Barcode and QR code from the mobile screen itself
How to scan barcodes from the mobile screen itself? Edit on Mar 10, 2020: I am also looking to do the same for QR codes.
How to scan barcodes from the mobile screen itself?
Edit on Mar 10, 2020: I am also looking to do the same for QR codes.
user1014639
(379 rep)
Dec 5, 2012, 02:39 PM
• Last activity: Apr 10, 2024, 01:56 AM
12
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0
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32691
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How to emulate camera input in Android? (To activate Whatsapp Web)
I have an Android device without a camera and I run Whatsapp on that device. I want to activate Whatsapp Web from this device. Unfortunately, the only way to do this is to scan a QR-code, and I can't do that as I have no camera. So, if I just could emulate camera input, that means use an image or vi...
I have an Android device without a camera and I run Whatsapp on that device.
I want to activate Whatsapp Web from this device. Unfortunately, the only way to do this is to scan a QR-code, and I can't do that as I have no camera.
So, if I just could emulate camera input, that means use an image or video file of the QR code and have that be taken by the OS as camera input, then I would solve the problem.
This is doable on Windows. I'm sure it should be doable on a rooted Android device as well, especially if we can use Xposed Framework.
But the question is, does anybody know how to?
Fiksdal
(1311 rep)
May 16, 2016, 11:50 AM
• Last activity: Jan 18, 2024, 02:59 PM
3
votes
3
answers
3947
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How can I import a VCARD file (contact information) via a QR code into Android contacts?
I would like to generate a QR code for my contact information to put on a website or my phone to show people. They should be able to scan it and import it automatically to their phone contacts. All I have found on the internet were solutions converting a VCARD text into a QR code. QR code scanners p...
I would like to generate a QR code for my contact information to put on a website or my phone to show people. They should be able to scan it and import it automatically to their phone contacts. All I have found on the internet were solutions converting a VCARD text into a QR code. QR code scanners parse it as a text (scan works) but they are not able to parse it as contact information and pass it on the contacts app to be imported. I wonder how to manage this.
BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:2.1
N;CHARSET=utf-8:Doe;John;;;
FN;CHARSET=utf-8:John Doe
ORG;CHARSET=utf-8:Dunder Mifflin
TITLE;CHARSET=utf-8:Manager
URL;WORK:dunder.com
EMAIL;WORK:john@dunder.com
TEL;CELL:+15551122334
ADR;WORK;CHARSET=utf-8:;;;Scranton;;;USA
END:VCARD
Edit: hosting the VCF file with the correct mime type let's you download the file and import it. But this is unnecessarily cumbersome. I think that a direct import from the QR code should be possible.
Edit: hosting the VCF file with the correct mime type let's you download the file and import it. But this is unnecessarily cumbersome. I think that a direct import from the QR code should be possible.
VPNer
(53 rep)
Nov 21, 2023, 11:35 PM
• Last activity: Nov 22, 2023, 03:14 PM
0
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0
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590
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Connection fails when receiving photos from Nintendo Switch
I am attempting to [wirelessly send screenshots from my Nintendo Switch][1] to my Asus Zenfone 8. However, when I try to scan the QR code to connect to my phone to my Switch I get a "Connection Failed" error. I tried manually connecting to my Switch in the wifi settings and navigating to "http://192...
I am attempting to wirelessly send screenshots from my Nintendo Switch to my Asus Zenfone 8. However, when I try to scan the QR code to connect to my phone to my Switch I get a "Connection Failed" error. I tried manually connecting to my Switch in the wifi settings and navigating to "http://192.168.0.1/index.html", but the page was stuck on the loading screen in Firefox.
Why can't I transfer photos from my Switch to my Asus Zenfone 8?
Stevoisiak
(281 rep)
May 7, 2023, 03:16 AM
• Last activity: Jul 16, 2023, 07:25 PM
8
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2
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7583
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Why do QR scanner apps want to access my contact list?
I want an app to scan the occasional QR code which usually should contain an URL. The other day, I meant to download an app for that and searched the market for one that does _not_ want access to all my contacts, my granny's underpants, and whatever else it could get its grubby hands on — to no avai...
I want an app to scan the occasional QR code which usually should contain an URL.
The other day, I meant to download an app for that and searched the market for one that does _not_ want access to all my contacts, my granny's underpants, and whatever else it could get its grubby hands on — to no avail.
How is it that they all want to dig into my pants contacts? Am I missing something or is that really just data mining on the app writers' part?
sbi
(302 rep)
Mar 15, 2012, 09:26 PM
• Last activity: May 29, 2023, 09:25 AM
4
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3
answers
5847
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How to tweak camera/screen for Whatsapp web QR scanner
This is **NOT** a duplicate of or . - I'm using CyanogenMod 11 (snapshot M12) on HTC One X - I have the latest WhatsApp 2.12.250 I'm trying to scan the WhatsApp web QR code on my computer. On my Android Whatsapp, I'm able to get to the point where the scanner is active, and the green scan bar goes u...
This is **NOT** a duplicate of or .
- I'm using CyanogenMod 11 (snapshot M12) on HTC One X
- I have the latest WhatsApp 2.12.250
I'm trying to scan the WhatsApp web QR code on my computer. On my Android Whatsapp, I'm able to get to the point where the scanner is active, and the green scan bar goes up and down, but it never manages to capture the QR code on my computer screen.
I tried to scan the same code using the ZXing Barcode Scanner, and it only works when I turn on "Use auto focus", "No continuous focus", "No exposure".
The camera lense on my HTC One X is slightly scratched up, and the camera pictures has long been foggy. I suspect that the combination of my crappy camera and the computer LCD screen is preventing me from scanning the QR code.
So, since I can't change the camera setting in the Whatsapp QR scanner, is there any tip on how I can maximize the scannability of this web QR code?
user1439542
(81 rep)
Sep 16, 2015, 04:40 PM
• Last activity: May 24, 2023, 06:00 PM
1
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2
answers
229
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What is the easiest-to-explain way to read a QR Code?
What is the easiest way to teach/enable someone else to read a QR Code? Please notice, I'm not asking how to read a QR Code. I know there's a lot of apps to do it. I'm asking what is the easiest way to enable someone else, perhaps someone without much technical knowledge, to scan a QR Code? For exam...
What is the easiest way to teach/enable someone else to read a QR Code?
Please notice, I'm not asking how to read a QR Code. I know there's a lot of apps to do it.
I'm asking what is the easiest way to enable someone else, perhaps someone without much technical knowledge, to scan a QR Code?
For example, this would be great if it actually worked:
http://www.labnol.org/software/scan-qr-code-with-google/27955/
It does not require downloading an app, therefore it's easier to show someone how to do it.
Unfortunately, for the 2 android phones I tried that on, it did not work. (there was no image search option as described in the post)
Is the easiest way really to have someone download an app and run it?
dss539
(113 rep)
Sep 4, 2014, 05:40 PM
• Last activity: May 7, 2023, 07:29 PM
13
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4
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78890
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How to protect my Wi-Fi password from being displayed by Android phones when sharing it with QR code?
I would like to know if there is any workaround to protect or hide my TP-LINK Wi-Fi router password from being displayed on phones using Xiaomi (Redmi) phones. If we go to Wi-Fi in a Redmi phone and tap on previously connected Wi-Fi, then the phone allows us to share the Wi-Fi network by scanning QR...
I would like to know if there is any workaround to protect or hide my TP-LINK Wi-Fi router password from being displayed on phones using Xiaomi (Redmi) phones.
If we go to Wi-Fi in a Redmi phone and tap on previously connected Wi-Fi, then the phone allows us to share the Wi-Fi network by scanning QR code by some other phone or the same phone.
And if I scan this QR code with any other phone, then we can easily see the password. So how can I protect my Wi-Fi password?
Sachin
(303 rep)
Oct 5, 2019, 12:12 PM
• Last activity: Apr 20, 2023, 06:22 PM
2
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0
answers
62
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How can I scan participants' QR tickets to enter an event?
I am hosting an event where I would like to have all participants receive a secret key in the form of a SHA-hashed secret, converted to a QR code. This would represent their ticket to enter the event. I would then like to be able to use a large list of these secrets to verify the participant's ticke...
I am hosting an event where I would like to have all participants receive a secret key in the form of a SHA-hashed secret, converted to a QR code. This would represent their ticket to enter the event. I would then like to be able to use a large list of these secrets to verify the participant's ticket (QR code) and automatically mark that participant as present, to make sure no tickets are used multiple times.
Is there a way to use QR codes to verify if a certain value is in my list of keys, and then check off that particular key? Or is there another way I could use such a QR-based ticket system to verify a participant's ticket? Would I somehow need to write my own app to do that, or are there already existing systems I could use for this?
If I am posting this in the wrong place, please let me know where I should post it instead. I couldn't think of any better place than here.
Joeytje50
(153 rep)
Oct 25, 2022, 01:15 AM
2
votes
1
answers
2919
views
Open Wifi QR code on Android 8
I have an old Wileyfox 2x with Android 8.1 on it. When I try to open a 'WiFi QR code', instead of creating a new WiFi connection, the pseudo-URL is just opened in a browser window. Is this even possible on Android 8, and if so, do I maybe need another scanner app? I'm using Firefox's built-in scanne...
I have an old Wileyfox 2x with Android 8.1 on it.
When I try to open a 'WiFi QR code', instead of creating a new WiFi connection, the pseudo-URL is just opened in a browser window.
Is this even possible on Android 8, and if so, do I maybe need another scanner app? I'm using Firefox's built-in scanner now, but perhaps that only supports http links?
If it's not supported by Android natively, are there other ways of opening such a code? Could this be done by an app?
Berend
(301 rep)
Mar 22, 2021, 09:21 AM
• Last activity: Feb 13, 2022, 01:06 PM
0
votes
3
answers
1034
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Cannot scan QR code for WhatsApp web even when mobile data only
I am on the very last version of WhatsApp for Android: it can't no longer connect to WhatsApp Web (it worked fine for ages) I tried all older tricks found in this forum: mobile data only(no wifi), rotate QR code by 90°, clean up camera lens, etc. Nothing works Does anybody have this issue as we...
I am on the very last version of WhatsApp for Android: it can't no longer connect to WhatsApp Web (it worked fine for ages)
I tried all older tricks found in this forum: mobile data only(no wifi), rotate QR code by 90°, clean up camera lens, etc. Nothing works
Does anybody have this issue as well? What else should I try ?
My phone is a Samsung S10 (patched to very last firmware & Android)
Thanks for your help!
Didier
Didier Durand
(101 rep)
Nov 20, 2020, 12:44 PM
• Last activity: Nov 26, 2021, 11:31 AM
3
votes
1
answers
1928
views
WhatsApp QR scanner seems blurry
My WhatsApp QR scanner is not working when needed for WhatsApp Web. It seems blurry, while my phone's camera is actually perfectly clear. Secondly, I have restarted the phone none worked, same issue not working. Thirdly, I have switched off the phone & again start, nothing worked out. Fourthly, I ha...
My WhatsApp QR scanner is not working when needed for WhatsApp Web. It seems blurry, while my phone's camera is actually perfectly clear.
Secondly, I have restarted the phone none worked, same issue not working. Thirdly, I have switched off the phone & again start, nothing worked out. Fourthly, I have tried using my corporate number and the QR scanner started in a micro second in WhatsApp Web.
How to fix it?
Shiven
(31 rep)
May 25, 2021, 05:29 AM
• Last activity: Nov 8, 2021, 12:25 PM
1
votes
0
answers
385
views
Debug the full output of QR code reader?
In my Android device, I use app "A" to scan a static QR code and the app will show the result. If I use a regular QR code reader app, the QR code will show as: "checkin:XXXstaticID" Is it possible to know the full execution command of app "A", so I can just execute that command or open the URL witho...
In my Android device, I use app "A" to scan a static QR code and the app will show the result.
If I use a regular QR code reader app, the QR code will show as: "checkin:XXXstaticID"
Is it possible to know the full execution command of app "A", so I can just execute that command or open the URL without have to scan the QR code?
Thanks
ldplayer
(11 rep)
Sep 16, 2021, 04:04 AM
• Last activity: Sep 16, 2021, 12:41 PM
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