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QR codes

4. Downloading and presenting QR codes

Downloading and saving QR codes on your device

Opening your email

Sometimes you’ll get a QR code by email, like a flight ticket, movie ticket, or store coupon. The email might have a QR code as an attachment, like a PDF.

To see your code, you’ll need to open the email app you use, like the Gmail app. If you’ve never used the Gmail app before, do the Android Gmail lesson or the iOS Gmail lesson.

If the QR code is attached to an email, tap on the attachment to open it.

attached-qr-code
Saving a QR code attachment

It’s a good idea to save the attachment to your device so you can open your QR code even when you don’t have internet access.

Here's what it will look like on your device:

android Android: To save the attachment to your device:

  • Tap the three dots on the top right corner of the PDF
    three-dots
  • Then tap Download
    download
  • When you download the attachment, you’ll save it on your device

apple iOS: To save the attachment to your device:

  • Tap the Share button on the bottom of your screen
    share
  • Then tap Save to Files
    save-to-files
  • Select the option On My iPhone by tapping on it
    on-my-iphone
  • When you download the attachment, you’ll save it on your device
internet-words

When you download an app or a file on your device, it saves all the information it needs for you to open and use the app or file.

Opening your QR code

Once you’ve downloaded your QR code, you can open it on your device later.

To open your QR code:

Let’s think about it

Have you received an email with a QR code before?

Have you downloaded an email attachment to your device before?

Presenting QR codes on your device

Make your screen bright

To scan properly, your QR code needs to be very visible. This means you’ll need to make your screen as bright as possible.

You can adjust your screen brightness in the Settings app on your device. If you’ve never used the Settings app before, do the Android Settings lesson or the iOS Settings lesson.

Here's what it will look like on your device:

android iOS

Presenting your QR code

There are lots of places where you might show a QR code, like a concert venue or the airport. In some parts of Canada, you might also show a QR code as proof of vaccination before you go into certain places.

Here are some of the places where you might show your QR code.

Tickets for events:

If you buy a ticket to an event online, like a ticket to a concert or a hockey game, you might get an email with a digital ticket and a QR code. You’ll need to show this QR code to the venue staff when you go to the event.

ticket-for-event

To present your digital ticket at an event

  • Open the QR code on your device and show it to the staff at the venue
  • They will scan your QR code and let you in
  • Often, QR codes for events can only be scanned once
  • After the staff scan your QR code, it will stop working

Tickets for travel:

If you check in for a flight online, most airlines will email you a boarding pass with a QR code. You’ll need to show this QR code to the airport staff when you:

  • Check your luggage
  • Go through security
  • Board the airplane
  • And sometimes when you arrive at your destination
    boarding-pass

To present your digital ticket at an airport:

  • Open the QR code on your device and show it to the staff at the airport
  • They will scan your code
  • Note: You’ll follow the same steps for a train, bus, or ferry ticket

Coupons for stores:

If you’re subscribed to a newsletter for a store, you might get an email with a QR code for a coupon or discount. You’ll need to show your QR code to the cashier at the store to get a discount.

coupon-for-store

To present your digital coupon at a store:

  • Open the QR code on your device and show it to the cashier at the store
  • They will scan your code and give you the discount on your purchase
  • Often, QR codes for coupons can only be scanned once
  • After the cashier scans your QR code, it will stop working

Let’s think about it

Have you presented a QR code for scanning before?

Will the steps you learned today make it easier for you to use QR codes on your device in the future?

We’re done!

Let’s see what you’ve learned. Do you think you can do these things by yourself?
Can you…

Scan a QR code?

Download a QR code from an email?

Present a QR code to board a flight?