Create QR Codes for Students Easily and Securely

Creating QR codes for use in class is easy to do on any Apple Device. Better still, these QR codes do not have embedded trackers in them. 

QR codes are a great way to give learners a link and ensure that they go to the correct location. It’s too easy for a learner to mistype the address and go someplace that you wish they didn’t. There are a lot of QR code generators online and in the App Store. For the longest time, this was the only option. The downside was that these links were tracked by other parties and that opened a whole new set of issues for students.

There is another option that is built into your iPad, iPhone, and Mac. It only takes a second to set it up and create QR codes quickly and securely. You’ll find it in the Shortcuts app. This set of instructions are built on the iPad, but the steps are the same on the Mac and iPhone.

I have broken the process into three parts: Creating the Shortcut, Using the Shortcut, and Saving the QR Code.

Here’s how to do it:

Part 1: Create the Shortcut

TLDR:

1. Tap the Plus (+) icon.
2. Search "QR" and select "Generate QR Code"
3. Change "Text" to "Clipboard"
4. Select "Save to Photo Album"
5. Change the name

Video Demonstration: 

Detailed Description:

Start a new shortcut: Open the Shortcuts app. Tap the Plus (+) button in the top right corner of the screen to start a new shortcut.   

Select "Generate QR Code": Type the letters qr into the search bar on the right side of the screen. Tap on the "Generate QR Code" item that shows up in the results. You will see a new action show up in the main part of the screen that says "Generate QR code from Text"      Select the Clipboard: Tap the word "Text" in the action. This word is a different color from the rest of the statement. At the bottom of the screen, a list of new options will be presented. Tap on Clipboard.   Select Save to Photo Album: In the menu on the right, under "Next Action Suggestions", you will see "Save to Photo Album". (NOTE: If you don't see this button, search "photo"). Tap this button to add it to the action steps. The step should say "Save QR Code to Recents"   Change the shortcut name: Tap the name of the shortcut in the top right corner. The name is beside the button "< Shortcuts". Tap "Rename" in the menu. Change the name such as "Create QR Code"  

That’s it. The new Shortcut is saved to your Shortcuts library. The QR code that is generated is saved to your Photos library.

Part 2: Use the Shortcut

TLDR:

1. Copy the website address.
2. Tap on the Create QR Code shortcut
3. Open the QR code image in Photos

Video Demonstration:

Detailed Description:

Select the website address: Open the website you want to create a QR code for. Tap the link to select the link. 

Copy the link: Tap on the selected address again to bring up the menu. Tap on Copy. 

 

Tap the shortcut to run it: Open the Shortcuts app. The newly created shortcut will the in the top left corner. Tap the shortcut to run it. Wait for the checkmark to signal that the shortcut has finished running. 

Open the QR code image: Open the Photos app. The newly created QR code is the last image in your library. It will be in the bottom right corner. Tap the image to open it. 

You can use this image just like any other image in your photos library.

Part 3: Save the QR Code

TLDR:

1. Name the QR code image.
2. Share the image to a new album.

Video Demonstration:

 

Detailed Description:

Open the Information Panel: Open the QR code image you created in photos. Tap the information button in the top right corner. It is an i inside of a circle. 

Name the code image: Give the QR code file a name by using the "Add a Caption" field in the information panel. Tap done when finished.  Share to a new album: Tap the Share button in the top left corner.  Name the album: Give the new album a name. You can then save all of your QR codes here to find them quickly. 

You can also search the photo library for the QR code at any time by using the name you gave it.

Have fun. 

Additional Information:

If you are interested in adding this shortcut to the Services menu on the Mac, check out this post on How to Add a Shortcut to the Services Menu.

You can also access shortcuts from the Menu Bar. Learn how in this post on How to Add a Shortcut to the Menu Bar.

How To Use a Widget for Classroom Shortcuts