How to create a QR code using a browser

September 13, 2023

By

The Verge

QR code against illustrated background — Illustration by Cath Virginia / The Verge

QR codes can be very useful, especially when it comes to getting to a webpage quickly and easily. (For example, I’m always resorting to the QR codes at NYC bus stops to find out that I just missed the bus two minutes ago and the next one is due in about 20 minutes.) If you want to guide somebody quickly to your website or to a webpage that they need, you can create a QR code for that page.

There are a variety of QR code generator apps out there that you can access. (Keep in mind that it’s wise to be careful which one you choose since a less-than-honest app can include tracking or other code with the generated QR.) In addition, some online services, such as Instagram, may offer their own QR code generation. But for a good general solution, you can easily create a QR code via Chromium-based browsers like Chrome and Edge.

Using Chrome on Android

Mobile screen with The Verge in background and a pop-up share menu at bottom. — *You can use Chrome’s Share feature to create a QR Code.*

Mobile screen with QR Code and a Download button beneath it. — *Once generated, you can download the QR Code.*

Since the Chrome browser is built into Android, this one is easy:

Open the Chrome browser and go to the website you want to create the code for.
Tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select Share…
At the bottom of the Share pop-up, there will be a QR code icon (swipe left if you don’t immediately see it). Tap on the icon.
A QR code will be immediately created. Tap Download if you need to use it later.

Using Chrome on iOS

Mobile screen with a screenshot from The Verge on top, and a pop-up menu with several app icons across the top and a menu including Create a QR Code below that. — *On an iPhone, just share to Create a QR Code.*

QR Code for The Verge with a Share button underneath. — *Once you have a QR Code, you can use your iPhone’s Share button.*

You can also use the Chrome browser on your iPhone to create a QR code (it’s in the App Store). Interestingly, with iOS, you’ve got even fewer steps to go through than with the Android version of Chrome.

Open the Chrome browser and go to the website you want to create the code for.
Tap the upload icon in the upper right corner.
In the pop-up menu, select Create a QR Code.
A QR code will be immediately created. Tap the Share… button if you want to download the QR code or share it.

Using the Chrome browser on a desktop

A web page from The Verge with an overlay containing a QR Code, the codes URL beneath it, and two buttons to copy and download. — *The Chrome browser creates a QR code and then lets you copy or download it.*

Again, if you use a Chrome browser on any desktop computer — a Mac or a Windows PC — you can use it to create a QR code.

Open the Chrome browser and go to the website you want to create the code for.
Click on the Share this page icon in the address bar and select Create QR Code.
You’ll get a drop-down box that contains a QR code, the URL that the code represents, and buttons to let you Copy or Download it.

Using the Edge browser on a desktop

A web page from The Verge overlaid by a long list of features, including Refresh, Print, and Create QR Code for this page. — *To get a QR Code on Edge, you just have to right-click.*

The Edge browser is the default for Windows computers (and, in fact, Microsoft sometimes makes it a bit difficult not to use Edge). That being said, it’s very easy to create a QR code.

Open the Edge browser and go to the website you want to create the code for.
Right-click anywhere on the page and select Create QR Code for this page.
You’ll get a drop-down box that contains a QR code, the URL that the code represents, and buttons to let you Copy or Download it.