WhatsApp, with over 1.8 billion users, has become an indispensable messaging app, especially for businesses. Its extensive user base grew by 40% during the Covid-19 pandemic, making it a pivotal communication channel.

The pandemic era introduced the concept of contactless interactions, and QR codes became a key player in enabling these touchless services. Whether for payments, accessing restaurant menus, or initiating business conversations via WhatsApp, QR codes have revolutionized contactless experiences.

WhatsApp recognized the significance of QR codes and introduced this feature, transforming the way businesses and customers connect. It’s user-friendly, efficient, and best of all—it’s free!

Read on to explore what WhatsApp QR codes are, how to scan them, their benefits and uses, and, most importantly, how to create your own WhatsApp QR code for free.

What is a WhatsApp QR code? How to scan a WhatsApp QR code? Benefits and uses of WhatsApp QR code How to create a WhatsApp QR code for free?

What is a WhatsApp QR code?

A WhatsApp Quick Response Code, or WhatsApp QR code, is a scannable barcode that allows you to connect with a WhatsApp user. Each QR code is unique to a specific user, ensuring a direct and personalized connection.

WhatsApp introduced a feature that simplifies connecting with customers and businesses using QR codes. Customers can now initiate a conversation by scanning the QR code, making it ideal for both personal and business use.

How to scan a WhatsApp QR code?

We’ve outlined the straightforward steps for scanning WhatsApp QR codes for both Android and iOS users, enabling you to chat in seconds:

For Android users:

1. In person
   • Open WhatsApp.
   • Tap on More Options.
   • Select Settings.
   • Tap the QR icon next to your name.
   • Choose ‘Scan Code.’
   • Point your QR scanner or WhatsApp Camera at the QR code.
   • Finally, tap ‘Add.’
2. From Gallery
   • Open WhatsApp.
   • Tap on More Options.
   • Select Settings.
   • Tap the QR icon next to your name.
   • Choose ‘Scan Code.’
   • At the bottom of your screen, tap the Gallery icon.
   • Select the QR code from your phone’s gallery.
   • Tap ‘OK.’
   • Lastly, tap ‘Add.’
3. From New Contact Screen
   • Open WhatsApp.
   • Tap ‘New Chat.’
   • Next to ‘New Contact,’ tap the QR code icon.
   • Tap ‘Scan Code.’
   • Lastly, tap ‘Add.’
4. From WhatsApp Camera
   • Open WhatsApp.
   • Tap the Camera icon.
   • Select the QR code image you want to scan.
   • Then, tap ‘Add.’
5. Within WhatsApp Chat
   • Open WhatsApp.
   • Choose an individual or group chat.
   • Tap the Camera icon.
   • Finally, tap ‘Add.’

For iOS users:

1. In person
   • Open WhatsApp.
   • Tap ‘Settings.’
   • Tap the QR code next to your name.
   • Select ‘Scan.’
   • Then tap ‘OK.’
   • Face your QR scanner or WhatsApp Camera toward the QR code.
   • Finally, tap ‘Add to Contacts.’
   • Alternatively, scan the QR code with your WhatsApp camera.
2. From Photos
   • Open WhatsApp.
   • Tap ‘Settings.’
   • Tap the QR code next to your name.
   • Select ‘Scan.’
   • Next, tap the Photos icon.
3. From New Contact Screen
   • Open WhatsApp.
   • Tap ‘New Chat.’
   • Then tap ‘New Contact.’
   • Tap ‘Add via QR code.’
   • Face your QR scanner or WhatsApp Camera toward the QR code or tap the photos icon at the bottom of your screen and choose the WhatsApp QR code you want to scan.
   • Finally, tap ‘Add to Contacts.’
4. From WhatsApp Camera
   • Open WhatsApp.
   • Tap ‘Camera.’
   • At the bottom of your screen, tap the Photos icon.
   • Select the QR code you want to scan.
   • Tap ‘Add to Contacts.’
5. Within WhatsApp Chat
   • Open WhatsApp.
   • Choose an individual or group chat.
   • Tap the Camera icon.
   • At the bottom of your screen, tap the Photos icon.
   • Finally, tap ‘Add to Contacts.’

Benefits and uses of WhatsApp QR code

WhatsApp QR codes offer numerous benefits and use cases that make them invaluable for your business:

Benefits:

1. Easy: Scanning a WhatsApp QR code is simple and hassle-free, requiring only an active WhatsApp number and an internet connection.
2. Quick: The time between scanning a WhatsApp QR code and starting a chat is mere seconds, eliminating the need to save contacts, which can be cumbersome. With the growing demand for rapid services, having a WhatsApp QR code is a game-changer.
3. Secure: WhatsApp chats are end-to-end encrypted, enhancing user security. Additionally, the risk of sensitive information leakage, such as phone numbers, is minimized when using WhatsApp QR codes.
4. Smooth: Unlike some other messaging apps that require accepting a message request, WhatsApp offers a seamless user interface that allows direct communication upon scanning the code.

Uses:

1. Personal Engagements: WhatsApp QR codes are perfect for connecting with friends and family. By sharing your personal QR code, you can engage in individual or group chats without the hassle of manually adding contacts.
2. Business Matters: Businesses with physical or online stores benefit greatly from WhatsApp QR codes. They provide a quick, convenient, and seamless communication channel between you and your customers. You can market offers, address queries, resolve complaints, and provide personalized attention.
3. Organizational Communications: Workplaces are adopting WhatsApp for efficient team communication. Sharing a WhatsApp QR code simplifies starting a new group chat, facilitating productive discussions in seconds.

Note that QR codes aren’t the only way customers can engage with your business. You can also share WhatsApp click-to-chat links in your marketing communications, making it easy for customers to reach you with a single click.

How to create a WhatsApp QR code for free?

Now that you understand the importance and benefits of WhatsApp QR codes, let’s explore how to generate one in five easy steps, free of charge:

1. Scroll to the top of this page to access LimeCall free tool.
2. Enter your WhatsApp number: Exclude the ‘+’ symbol, parentheses, or leading zeroes before your country code.
3. Add a pre-filled message: This step is optional but allows you to initiate conversations with personalized messages.
4. Click on “Generate WhatsApp QR Code.”
5. Download your WhatsApp QR Code: Once generated, your QR code is ready for use.

You can deploy your WhatsApp QR code on your website, social media profiles, or even print it on marketing materials like flyers and business cards, making it visible and accessible to your customers.

Don’t stop at just creating the QR code for WhatsApp. If your website attracts a significant number of visitors, consider adding a WhatsApp live chat widget to facilitate easy communication. Limeall offers a free tool to help you generate the WhatsApp widget in just a few simple steps.