Adding contacts to WhatsApp has always been a twisted story. It’s as easy as adding a contact to your phone, but the process of tapping numbers, saving the number, calling the contact on WhatsApp and finally being able to message them is tedious. Fortunately, the process has been streamlined with the introduction of QR codes on WhatsApp. You can now add your friends or other contacts by scanning the WhatsApp QR code.
Previously, it was necessary to use third-party services to generate a QR code for WhatsApp. But the same functionality is now available on WhatsApp. WhatsApp users, first seen in WhatsApp Beta versions, can now use QR codes.
If you are wondering about WhatsApp QR codes, in this article we will tell you how to add contacts using WhatsApp QR codes. Lets start.
What Are WhatsApp QR Codes?
WhatsApp QR codes are scannable codes that can be used to add contacts to WhatsApp without manually entering their number. You have to scan the QR code and WhatsApp will give you the option to save the contact. After saving, the chat window will open automatically.
For those unaware, WhatsApp offers three different QR codes – personal QR code, group QR code and WhatsApp web code. The first is for adding personal contacts, while the second helps to invite group members. We will consider the first here. The third, which deals with WhatsApp web, is completely different from the other two. Used to login to WhatsApp web on desktop.
WhatsApp QR codes do not take away the hassle of adding a contact before sending a message. Still necessary. You can use the Click to Chat feature in WhatsApp to send a message to someone without saving their number.
Supported Devices for WhatsApp QR Codes
WhatsApp QR codes can only be generated and scanned from mobile apps (Android and iOS). This feature is not available for WhatsApp web.
Note: If your phone does not have the QR code feature, update your WhatsApp application.
How to Generate WhatsApp QR Code for Your Number
Follow these steps to generate your WhatsApp QR code:
Stage 1: Launch WhatsApp on your mobile.
Step 2: On Android, tap the three-dot icon at the top and go to Settings. Next to your name you will find the QR code icon. Tap on it.
On iOS, tap the Settings tab at the bottom. Then tap the QR icon next to your name.
Stage 3: You will be directed to the QR code screen. Here you will find your QR code. If someone is with you, they can directly scan the code as shown below.
Here’s what the screen looks like on iOS.
How to Share WhatsApp QR Code with Others?
You can take a screenshot of the QR code screen or use the local sharing feature in WhatsApp to send your WhatsApp QR code to others.
For the latter, tap the share icon at the top of the QR code screen on Android or iPhone. Select the app where you want to send the QR code image to others. Email, Facebook Messenger, Telegram etc. You can share it via other messaging apps like WhatsApp or even WhatsApp.
How to Add WhatsApp Contacts Using QR Code
To add someone to WhatsApp using the QR code, you have to scan the code. For this, open WhatsApp Settings and tap on the QR icon.
On Android, tap the Scan Code tab to open the scan screen.
Tap the Scan button on iOS.
Point your camera at the QR code to scan. Make sure the code fits inside the green scan box. Tap the gallery icon in the lower left corner to scan the QR code received via other apps on the same phone. Go to the QR code image and select it.
WhatsApp detects the contact from the code and prompts you to add them to their contacts. Tap on Add to contacts.
Add relevant contact information on the next screen. After saving the changes, the new contact opens in WhatsApp, displaying a message that the contact has been added via QR. You can start messaging with the person.
Note: If this contact’s contact is in your phone book, a direct chat window will open without prompting you to save the contact.
You can use your phones built-in feature (if available) to scan WhatsApp QR as well. For example, if you point your iPhone’s camera at the WhatsApp QR, it will show a link. Tap on it to send a message to the contact. Similarly, Samsung mobile phones also offer QR codes on their cameras. Mi offers a separate app to scan the QR code. You can also use Google Lens on any Android phone to scan the WhatsApp code to add a contact.
How to Cancel QR Code on WhatsApp
Anyone with your QR code can scan it and send you a message. So only share with trusted contacts for personal numbers.
Note: You can reset the code unlimited times.
Tap on Reset QR code on iOS.
When you reset the QR code, anyone who scanned the previous code will see the message ‘QR code is no longer valid’ after scanning.
You need to share a new QR code with others. For this, it is sufficient to reopen the QR code screen after resetting the existing QR code. Your new QR code will be generated automatically.
More Ways to Use WhatsApp QR Codes
In the above method, you have to go to the settings first to access the WhatsApp QR code. If this is unnatural, there are two more ways – WhatsApp Camera and Contacts.
Add WhatsApp Contacts from Camera
The scanning functionality of QR codes is also baked into the WhatsApp camera. Tap the Camera tab at the bottom on iOS. On Android, tap the WhatsApp camera icon in the upper left corner. To add the number, point the camera at the QR code or add an image with the QR code.
Fly: Quickly access the WhatsApp Camera by pressing and holding the WhatsApp icon on your home screen. Select Camera from the menu.
Add WhatsApp Contacts from New Chat Screen
You will also find the QR code option on the new chat screen. On Android, tap the new chat icon at the bottom in WhatsApp. Tap the QR code icon on the next screen. The rest of the functions remain the same.
On iOS, go to the Chats tab at the bottom. Tap the new chat icon at the top. Select New contact.
Tap on Add with QR code.
Use WhatsApp QR Codes Effectively
WhatsApp QR codes reduce the hassle of typing numbers. They make the process of adding contacts effortless, even for non-techies like parents or grandparents who will only need to scan the code now. QR codes also make life easier in general. Unfortunately, very few people use them in their daily lives. We hope that with WhatsApp that will change.
Next: Accidentally added someone on WhatsApp? Learn how to delete a WhatsApp contact from your phone from the next link.
