The Ultimate Guide: How to Use a QR Code

We have been using QR codes to make your member information more easily accessible to you. You will see QR Codes on your confirmation letters, key documents at the resort, and other informational documents. But what exactly is a QR Code, and how will this make your life easier? Read along for everything that you need to know. 

With the pandemic, QR Codes (which stands for Quick Response Codes) have become increasingly popular for many reasons. Many businesses include them in their marketing campaigns. Restaurants put QR codes on the table to share their WIFI password or a shortcut to digital menus. We now use them to provide you with resort and membership information, including our newly designed member confirmation letters that you will receive each time you make a reservation with us.  

 What are the benefits of QR codes? 

1. They are easy to use. As you will soon find out, scanning a QR code is almost always an error-free process. 
2. They are informative. There is only so much you can write in a brochure. With QR codes, clients have access to more information. 
3. They are a hygienic option. Going touchless now is more important than ever. Incorporating QR codes allows businesses to offer germ-free experiences. Just imagine how often restaurant paper menus are touched. By using a QR code menu, this issue is avoided.

The best thing about QR codes is the fact they are super easy to use. To use a QR code, your smartphone (and its camera) is pretty much all that you need. Not sure how to do it? No worries! We have created step-by-step instructions for how to do so below. 

How to scan a QR code with an iPhone or iPad

If you have an iPhone, scanning a QR code will be a piece of cake! Every phone that has iOS 11 or later can do it directly from the camera app. Here is what you should do: 

1. On your phone or iPad, open the app ‘camera’. 
2. In Photo mode, select the option for a rear-facing camera (as if you were taking a regular photo, not a selfie) 
3. Aim at the QR code and hold your device straight for a little while. Make sure the QR code is centered. 
4. The app will create a little square around the QR to scan it, and once the code is scanned, you will get pop-up notification on the top of your phone to open a link (if you are connected to the internet). Proceed with opening the link.   

How to scan a QR code with Android 

All phones that have Android 9 or later can scan the QR code from the camera app – the same as Apple. Here is what you should do: 

1. On your phone, open the app ‘camera’. 
2. In Photo or Camera mode, select the option for a rear-facing camera (like you would do when taking a regular photo) 
3. Aim at the QR code and hold your device straight for a little while. Make sure the QR code is centered. 
4. Once the QR code is scanned, you will get a notification (if you are connected to the internet) to open a link. Click on it to open.  

Sometimes this option may not work. In this case, you can try to scan using Google Lens. To do it, you will need to download the Google Lens app (it is free) or use Google Assistant. Then: 

1. Open the Google Lens app or click on the color lens symbol in Google Assistant. 
2. Choose the Search mode. 
3. Aim at the QR code (like you would do when taking a photo) and hold your device straight for a little while. Make sure the QR code is centered. 
4. Once the QR code is scanned, you will get a notification (if you are connected to the internet) to open a link. Proceed with opening the link.  

Alternative option – using a QR code app 

Technologies sometimes fail us. If you have a smartphone but you still can’t manage to scan a QR code, then it is best to download a third-party QR code scanner app. In your App section or Play Store, you will find many different options, but QR Code No Ads is considered one of the best. To use it, you must: 

1. Open the app. 
2. Aim at the QR code (like you would do when taking a photo), make sure it is inside the green corners, and hold your device straight for a little while. Make sure the QR code is centered. 
3. Once the QR code is scanned, you will get a notification (if you are connected to the internet) to open a link. Follow the link.  

How to scan a QR code with a computer 

For Mac 

It is possible to scan a QR code with your computer too. If your Mac has a camera, you can easily do it. Follow these steps: 

1. Download an app for scanning QR codes (a favorite is QR Journal, which can be found in App Store). 
2. Open the app. 
3. In the top-left corner, you will find the option “Scan”. Click on it. Then give permission to access your Mac’s camera. If you must restart the app – do it. 
4. When your camera is working, position the QR code in front of it. Make sure it is within the borders. 
5. Once the QR code is scanned, you will get a notification (if you are connected to the internet) to open a link. Continue to the link.  

For Windows 

If you have a Windows computer, the process is quite similar. Here is what you should do: 

1. Download an app for scanning QR codes (QR Code for Windows 10, which is listed in the Microsoft Store). 
2. Open the app. 
3. You will be asked to give permission to access your computer’s camera. Accept it. 
4. When your camera is working, position the QR code in front of it. Make sure it is within the borders. 
5. Once the QR code is scanned, you will get a notification (if you are connected to the internet) to open a link. Proceed.  

Below is a sample of what our new confirmation letters look like. Now that you know everything you need to know about QR codes, you can easily scan the QR codes on the confirmation letters that you receive from us to access all information relevant to your upcoming vacation(s). If you have any questions about using QR codes, please ask any of our team members to assist you. We are sure that by utilizing QR codes more, we will be able to provide you with the information that you need quickly and all in one place.