Encrypted QR Codes Explained: What They Are and How They Work

The modern world runs on QR codes. Well, this may be a slight exaggeration. However, their wide range of applications in payments, menus, file sharing, login authentication, and several other purposes is enough to prove their popularity. A Statista report estimated that approximately 89 million smartphone users in the U.S. scanned a QR code in 2022, and the number is projected to surpass 100 million in 2025.

What if you want to share information via QR codes that only the people you want to access can see?

That’s where encrypted QR codes come in. In this article, we’ll break down what encrypted QR codes are and how they work.

What are encrypted QR codes?

An encrypted QR code is a regular QR code that has been encrypted using a key. While creating the QR code, you encrypt the information with a key. Anyone who scans the QR code cannot access it without the exact key. Encrypted QR codes are used to share confidential information.

How do encrypted QR codes work

Here’s the simple two-step process:

1. Encrypt the data first.
   • You run your data through an encryption algorithm.
   • Then, you generate a QR code containing the encrypted data.
2. Decrypt it when scanning.
   • You can use a dedicated app that has the encryption key to access data.
   • Or you can use any scanner, copy the data, and then decrypt it.

Where are encrypted QR codes used

While it may sound high-tech, many industries already utilize this additional security layer. Here are a few examples:

• Financial services:
  To secure payments, customer data, or transaction details.
• Healthcare:
  To safely share patient records, prescriptions, or test results.
• Corporate environments:
  To protect internal documents, employee IDs, or sensitive data.

What you need to make encrypted QR codes work

Encrypted QR codes don’t work by themselves. You need two things to make them functional—one for the creation side and one for the scanning side. Here’s what that looks like.

1. You need encryption when creating the QR code

First, your platform must encrypt your data before generating the QR code.
This isn’t something you can do with just any QR code generator. You’ll need special software that applies encryption algorithms to secure your data.

If you skip this step:

• Your QR code won’t be encrypted at all.
• Anyone with a basic scanner can read what’s inside.

2. You need decryption when scanning the QR code

Once the QR code is encrypted, it’s locked tight. You can’t just scan it with any phone camera or QR scanner.
You’ll need a specific app or device with the correct decryption key to unlock the information.

If you skip this step:

• The QR code won’t show anything useful—it’ll seem empty or unreadable.
• Your audience will need special tools to access the content.

Wrapping up

Encrypted QR codes need special tools on both sides to function properly. If that’s what you need, it’s a perfect tool for sharing confidential information.

QRCodeChimp focuses on security that doesn’t get in the way. With features like password protection and start & end dates, you can share information confidently, without adding extra steps or frustrating your audience.

Keep it secure. Keep it simple.

Frequently asked questions