Can QR Codes Work Without the Internet? Online and Offline QR Codes

By: Nove P.Update: September 22, 2023

Offline QR codes can work without the internet when scanned using a smartphone device or a QR code reader app.

Offline QR codes include text, numbers, and Wi-Fi QR codes.

The content is encoded in the QR code when you create a QR code for offline platforms.

You do not need an internet connection to access the content.

Can QR codes work without the internet: Basics on how a QR code works offline and online

You can scan any QR code without the internet. When scanning, you only need a smartphone's camera app or installed QR scanner on your device.

However, some QR code solutions require an internet connection to fully access the information. For example, a URL QR code. You can scan it without the internet, but you cannot access the link's website.

Offline QR codes are in static form. Static QR code does not allow you to track your QR code scans and edit the information you embed.

The data behind a static QR code will only lead users to a permanent address, which is not changeable.

Once the QR code is static, the information is hard-coded and cannot be changed.

However, you can generate free static QR codes such as text, numbers, and Wi-Fi.

On the other hand, online QR codes such as URLs, vCard, and social media are dynamic.

Dynamic QR codes allow you to edit the information you embed in a QR code.

You can also track the QR code scans, the devices used in scanning, and their location.

To edit the information, go to the QR code generator dashboard. Click on the track data button, then select which QR code campaign you want to edit. Then click the “edit” button.

Types of QR codes that work offline

The following are the types of offline QR codes in QR TIGER which work and display information without the Internet.

Text (static)

This is a type of QR Code solution that allows you to embed and display a simple text consisting of words, numbers, and special characters. You can combine all of them in one.

Text QR code is considered one of the most basic QR code types, requiring an internet connection to scan and display the text.

Number (static)

This type of bulk QR code allows you to generate serial number QR codes in bulk.

When a specific QR code is scanned, a unique number will display on a smartphone device without being connected to the internet.

Wi-Fi (static)

A Wi-Fi QR code is also a static type of QR code solution which allows you and your guests to connect to WIFI without typing the password.

Types of QR Codes that work online

Online QR codes require an internet connection to access the information or content embedded in a QR code once scanned.

The following are the different online QR codes you can generate in QR TIGER.

URL QR code (static and dynamic)

URL QR code is a QR code you can use to convert a website or any landing page into a QR code. It is available in static or dynamic types.

vCard (dynamic)

vCard QR code is a digital alternative to your traditional business card that allows you to share further contact information about yourself with your clients or audience.

You can store information on your social media accounts like Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus, email, address, and many more!

File (dynamic)

A file QR code allows you to generate a QR code for various file types such as MP4, PDF, PNG, and Jpeg.

When scanned, the file will be displayed on the smartphone, and you can save it immediately.

Since this is a dynamic QR code, you can create a PDF QR code for your document and redirect it to another landing page. It can be another landing page or another PDF file or JPEG, or MP4.

Link in Bio QR code for social media (dynamic)

The social media QR code houses all your social media platforms in one QR code.

You can generate your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Yelp, and other social media accounts into one QR code using this QR code solution.

A person has to be connected to the internet to access all the social media profiles and conveniently follow you.

Landing page QR code (dynamic)

Landing page QR code, previously named H5 Editor QR code, is another QR code solution that requires the internet for you to access a webpage.

This solution allows you to create your web page without paying for a domain.

App Stores QR code (dynamic)

App stores QR code allows scanners to install your app by scanning the QR code.

Once scanned, they will be redirected to the Google Play Store, Amazon App, or Apple’s app store and install the app.

The scanner’s smartphone has to be connected to the internet to download your app from a dedicated app store.

Multi URL (dynamic)

Multi URL QR code is composed of more than one URL and redirects a user to a webpage based on location, time, amount of scans, and language settings (these are the four features of a multi URL QR code).

MP3 (static and dynamic)

MP3 QR code allows you to convert your podcast, MP3, and soundtrack into a QR code.

Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest (static and dynamic)

Another online QR code you can generate is for your social media accounts. You can generate an individual QR code for each social media platform you have, like Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, and more.

When scanned, it will redirect the user to your social media account without needing to type your username or account name manually.

Email (dynamic)

Email QR code allows you to convert your email address into a QR code.

When scanned, it will redirect the user directly to your email address and have the option to copy it, send you an email, add contacts, or share it.

The user will no longer manually type their email address which could likely be more prone to error.

How to generate a QR code offline and online using the best QR code generator

Creating offline or online QR codes is fast and easy using a reliable and best QR code generator. When you use QR TIGER to generate your QR code, follow these easy steps:

1. Open QR code generator online and select from the menu what type of QR code solution you need

2. Enter your data in the field below the solution and choose a dynamic QR code to edit and track your QR

3. Customize your QR code and choose patterns and eyes, add a logo, and set colors to customize your QR code to make it more personalized

4. Test your QR before you download, print, and deploy

QR code practices when you generate your offline and online QR codes

1. Call-to-action

When you generate your offline or online QR codes, always put a call to action (CTA) to prompt the users on what to do and what to expect.

A simple CTA like “Scan Me” will catch the attention of your target audience.

2. Place it strategically

Your offline and online QR codes should be noticeable enough. It should also be scannable, meaning the location where you place will matter.

That is why you should place it in a highly visual location and be at eye level.

Scanning your QR code should be easy for your target audience.

3. Design always matters

Steer away from black-and-white QR codes by making them more personalized and professional-looking.

You can add a logo, change the colors and patterns, and customize more according to your preference.

Above all, your QR code’s foreground color should be darker than its background color. This makes your QR code easily scanned or read by a QR code scanner.

Generate offline and online QR codes with QR TIGER

You won’t have to wonder how to scan a QR code without the Internet because you can now use static QR codes that work offline.

With QR TIGER, you can create a QR code for offline and online platforms.

Its customization features and multiple design options make your QR codes stand out.

FAQs

What is a QR code, and how does a QR code work?

A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode that stores information such as a website/URL, a PDF, email, etc. To generate a QR code, you will need a QR code generator.

After generating and deploying your QR code, a user can scan it using a smartphone camera or a QR code reader app.

The user will instantly access the information or content you embed.

Can QR codes work without the Internet?

Yes. QR codes can work without the internet if you generate an offline QR code in a QR code generator. Offline QR codes include text, numbers, and wi-fi QR codes.

The content is encoded in the QR code when you create an offline QR code. You do not need an internet connection to access the content.

How to create a QR code that works offline?

To create or generate a QR code that works offline, you must first have a QR code generator.

Then you can choose what offline QR codes you will generate from your chosen QR code generator.

Customize it, test if it works, and deploy your QR code.

What is a QR code scanner?

A QR code scanner can be a QR code scanner application or a smartphone camera that can “read” or scan the QR code to access the information behind the code.

Can you scan the QR code without the internet?

Yes, you can scan a QR code without the internet. However, these QR codes will redirect you to a text, number, and Wi-Fi only.

How to scan a QR code without the Internet?

You only have to use your smartphone camera or a QR code scanner app to scan a QR code without the internet.

However, the QR codes you can scan without the internet will redirect you to a text, number, and Wi-Fi only.