Instagram users can now share posts, Reels, and locations by scanning a QR code.
Alessandro Paluzzi, a mobile developer, discovered the function in March(Opens in a new window). It’s now becoming more widely available, with a growing number(Opens in a new window) of Instagrammers noticing it.
To check if you have it, open the Instagram app and go to your profile, a specific post, or a Reel. Check for a QR code option by tapping the three-dot menu. (Web users can generate a scannable code by appending “/qr” to the URL of a post.)
If you select the profile option, a full-screen QR code (above right) will appear; tap the menu at the top to switch from a color view to emoji or selfie. You can shuffle through various color options from a post and then save the QR code to your camera roll.
If you’ve been to a restaurant since the pandemic, you’re probably used to scanning a QR code to get a menu. These machine-readable optical labels contain information for a locator, identifier, or tracker that directs users to a website or application—in this case, Instagram content. (However, be cautious about what you scan.)
It’s unclear how many accounts support QR codes. The parent company of Instagram, Meta, did not immediately respond to slashbeats’ request for comment. However, it informs TechCrunch(Opens in a new window): “We recently launched the ability to create QR codes for profiles, tags, locations, reels, and more to make it easier for people and businesses to share specific content.”
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Instagram began allowing people to share and view individual profiles via QR codes in 2020, inviting people to connect primarily with businesses, but also find family and friends, without having to type in an account name. To make your own, go to your Instagram profile > menu > QR code. Personalize the page with a backdrop of profile-appropriate emoji, gradient colors, or mini selfies, then tap the share button in the top right corner to publish or send your geometric symbol via email or text.
