QR scan via camera for iOS 15

It sounds like you are only using the Camera app to read QR codes..

If you are having issues, it might be quicker and more convenient to use the actual QR code scanner in Control Center..

Unlock the phone, swipe down in the upper right, tap the QR scanner to launch, read your code. The nice thing about the QR scanner is that it does not require you to tap a popup on the screen to launch whatever it wants you to launch... it happens automatically. And you can turn on the flashlight in lower light situations to help reading the code.

Scan a QR code with the iPhone camera - Apple Support

Hi Chris.

Great that you offered a suggestion, but it completely misses the point. The OP states that they are looking to speed the process and do it with one hand. Your suggestion requires multiple additional steps to do the same function, and would require both hands to do the same.

I too am frustrated by this change of functionality. I'm not quite sure how this new functionality passed even a rudimentary UX review in real life. Surely your staff and beta testers have had to use QR codes to check in for COVID?

The previous implementation left the notification panel on screen for a delayed period after the QR code was detected. Even this functionality, married with the new placement, would be an improvement. The placement of the link box is also problematic, as it moves as you move the camera. This means that as you move your second hand to tap the link, the hit target also moves unless you're very steady. Ideally the link placement would be at the bottom of the screen, allowing you to use your thumb to tap the link.

It seems that the feature is designed to support multiple QR codes in the same camera frame. In practice, this is not very helpful.

No, just because you have a gripe or are having a difficult time with something that has changed slightly, doesn't mean that I am missing the point. I'm not missing the point at all. I was just trying to help the OP.

You don't seem to understand that this is a user to user forum. You are not talking to Apple and Apple is not here. I'm another iPhone user just like yourself.

You refer to beta testers, well the public participates in beta testing. If this was some huge miss on Apple's part, with everyone scanning barcodes because of covid, they would have gotten tons of feedback during beta testing. You could have done beta testing yourself if you wanted to and provided feedback about the new iOS. In fact you can still provide feedback using the link provided by the community specialist. Have you done that?

I can pick up my sleeping phone from my desk, it automatically wakes up because of 'raise to wake', I swipe down for Control Center, tap the QR code icon.. and I'm literally scanning a barcode in maybe 3-4 seconds. One hand behind my back. I doesn't get much quicker than that. If I were walking up to somewhere that I knew I needed the scanner, it would be open already and would take me a solid second.

And as I commented, the added bonus you get from the QR scanner from Control Center is that it automatically launches whatever the barcode is directing you to. So you don't have to tap a pop up on the screen at all. Have you tried it??

I just did the same test as above by selecting the camera app instead. One hand behind my back. Pick up my sleeping phone, it wakes up, I tap the Lock Screen camera icon, camera is open instantly, hover over a small barcode and it reads it very quickly. This might even be quicker than the QR code scanner with the recent changes! It produces a small popup that I can tap on. I don't even have to hold my phone all that steady, pop up stays there and follows the QR code around. I shook the phone around a bit and it kept focused on the barcode for 10 seconds before I pulled away.

Now to get back to what the OP was saying. They commented on having to hold their phone super steady, as did you. I don't have to, in fact I simulated shaking around a bit. Maybe they/you are not steady handed? or maybe the phone is being held at an improper height (there is a point when you are too close to the camera for it to focus), or maybe the camera was having trouble focusing?

I did encounter in my testing where the focus would take a few seconds, but you can typically help it along pretty quickly by tapping right where the barcode is that you want to read. When I do that, it instantly focuses and instantly brings up the popup.

The OP commented on how small the pop up was. Well that might just be a learning curve. You can actually tap anywhere on the barcode itself or the pop up. unless the barcode is quite tiny, there should be lots of room to make the selection.

I see that you also commented about the pop up not sticking around long enough to tap it. Alright, well did you notice that when the camera app identifies a QR barcode a yellow circle pops up in the lower right part of the camera, easily within reach.. Well that yellow circle is remembering the last code you scanned. It stays there for 5+ seconds. you tap that, menu opens, select open in safari, copy, save it to your reading list or share it.. this is great.

But again, this is why I suggested the QR code reader from Control Center. Even if your phone is asleep, tap the screen or raise it, swipe, tap and its open searching for a QR code. you don't have to tap on the barcode or anything.

I see that the OP is using a 12 Pro Max. I'm using a 12 Pro, so it's also possible that the OP is having a harder time operating their large phone with one hand. But that's a trade off with a larger phone I guess. Things like pop sockets or similar devices can probably help with one handed operation.

My testing should be worst case scenario as far as timing (phone out of my hand and asleep). If you're in a line somewhere and you know you're going to need to scan something, then you should already have the camera app or the QR code scanner open.

I understand others will have varying experiences and expectations. But I am not missing the point. I am only trying to help.

Thanks for the detailed response Chris.

"You don't seem to understand that this is a user to user forum. You are not talking to Apple and Apple is not here. I'm another iPhone user just like yourself." I do realise this. I just didn't feel your original post was framed or phrased in a way that responded to the OP's objection nor concerns. You have now further explained your usage and use case, and it makes a LOT more sense why you suggested what you did.

I also have a mea culpa. I found the little yellow static QR code icon in the bottom right hand corner that is difficult for me to get my thumb to, but is at least static, and requires extra clicks — one to tap the icon, one to tap Open — after I posted my original response. This will be my "one handed" option in future, and meets at least one of the criteria I mentioned before (that is the hit target doesn't move under your hand). It is still a click more than needed (compared to the old implementation)—one to activate the menu, one to choose Open—but is at least static and not too much of an impost—just a change of habit.

I found this before I read your response—this is the "Alright, well did you notice that when the camera app identifies a QR barcode a yellow circle pops up in the lower right part of the camera, easily within reach.." bit. I did miss this. I suppose the big yellow frame and yellow icon in the main viewport caught my attention sufficiently that I missed the small static icon in the bottom right corner, which is usually reserved for camera functions. And I also must note, for large hands on a Mini, it is not super easy to access, but is workable.

I wish I could post a video of the behaviour I'm experiencing for the rest of it—my experience of it certainly does not match up to what you are describing. I can tell you I have been using the "in picture" link for the past few days since upgrading, probably a dozen or more times as I've checked into shops around town, and in general use, I do find it moves around constantly, and if you even bump the phone to click the link, sometimes the QR code can go out of view (even just slightly), and the link suddenly disappears.

The "in picture" prompt flickers on and off, moves around, and does not hold any longer than the QR code is completely in screen. Perhaps I'm holding the phone too close to the QR code or something—a behaviour I picked up using the previous implementation (iOS 14) to get it to work—if the QR code wasn't nearly full frame, it often would not be properly detected. Something else I will try in future.

Tapping the camera icon in bottom left of screen optimised for single hand use, vs. swiping down from the top of the screen (which is difficult for different reasons on both small and large phones) might be easy for you, but is not for me given my physiology. I use a Mini, and have large hands, so swiping from the top of the screen us usually a two handed operation for me to not let the phone slip out of grip and onto the floor (which has happened to me more than once trying to do this with a single hand). How you could do that on a larger screen with a single hand movement is beyond me, but glad you find this something so simple you can do it behind your back...

"The OP commented on how small the pop up was. Well that might just be a learning curve. You can actually tap anywhere on the barcode itself or the pop up. unless the barcode is quite tiny, there should be lots of room to make the selection." Thanks for this tip, also. This is completely non-obvious (and I say this as an experienced UX practitioner with 15+ years experience), but something I will try in future as it may well solve some of the issues I've experienced...

This was a terrible adjustment to the camera QR code scanner functionality, I totally agree.

I have no idea how the Apple product team passed this through to the official update.

I don’t even bother checking in now as it’s a pain in the arse fiddling with the phone to;

1. Hold the phone steady

2.Hold still whilst tapping the microscopic icon

3. Then interacting with another Government App

4. Finally after another 2 taps the check in is done.

I haven’t got time for that BS.

Hello Raggles7,

We would like to see how we can help you with QR codes. Apple always wants to improve your experience with their devices. Let them know how at: Product Feedback - Apple

Cheers!