Instagram is bringing QR codes to the app. Users can now generate QR codes that can be read on any compatible third-party camera app.
The feature was initially released in Japan last year. The idea is that businesses can print their QRCodes and have customers scan it to open their Instagram account easily. From there, people can see the store's opening hours, buy items, or just follow the account.
To generate your QRCode, access your profile settings menu and tap QRCode. That simple! If the feature still doesn't appear for you, you will likely have access to the feature already in the next update.
You will then be able to save or share the image. Instagram previously implemented a similar system called "Name Tags", which were internal QRCode-like codes that could only be read by Instagram's camera. Now Instagram is discontinuing this feature entirely.
Several other apps employ their own system similar to QRCodes, including Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat and Spotify. However, only Twitter supported real QR codes.
But with the pandemic and greater access to the platform, it is not surprising to see Instagram implement the system of real QRCodes, as well as Twitter, to facilitate access to user accounts of the social network.
Currently restaurants, for example, have started to provide QRCodes instead of their physical menus and other companies ask people to scan their QRCodes to access their websites and even on TV now, the use of QRCode has become a fever.
While "Name Tags" might have worked for this purpose, QRCodes make it easier for people to read and make them less reliant on taking their Instagram camera off to access information.
