Can I create one QR code for both iPhone and Android?

Yes. QRKit’s app download QR code uses smart routing to detect the scanner’s device. iPhone users are sent to the Apple App Store, Android users to Google Play — all from a single QR code. You can also add Huawei AppGallery and a fallback URL for desktop users.

How do I create a QR code to download my app?

Paste your App Store and Google Play URLs into the generator above. Customize the QR code design, add your app icon as the logo, and download. When scanned, the QR code auto-detects the platform and opens the correct store listing.

How does smart routing work?

When someone scans the QR code, their phone hits a QRKit redirect URL. The server detects the device’s operating system (iOS, Android, or other) and instantly redirects to the matching app store URL. The entire process takes milliseconds — the scanner sees the app store open directly.

Can I change the app store links after printing the QR code?

Yes — if you use a dynamic QR code. Update the App Store URL, Google Play URL, or any other store links from your dashboard without reprinting. This is critical for app migrations, URL changes, or seasonal campaigns.

How do I scan a QR code to download an app?

Open your phone’s camera (iPhone) or Camera/Google Lens (Android) and point it at the QR code. Tap the notification that appears. The app store opens to the app’s download page — tap “Get” (iOS) or “Install” (Android). No special scanner app is needed on modern phones.

Can I track how many people download my app from the QR code?

QRKit tracks total scans, unique users, iOS vs. Android split, scan location, scan time, and device type. For full install attribution (connecting scans to actual downloads), integrate with your app’s analytics SDK (Adjust, AppsFlyer, Branch, etc.) using UTM parameters.

What happens if someone scans on a desktop computer?

Desktop devices don’t have app stores, so the scanner is redirected to your fallback URL — typically a landing page with download links for both platforms, or your app’s website. You configure the fallback URL when creating the QR code.

Can the QR code open my app if it’s already installed?

With deep linking enabled, the QR code can detect if the app is already installed and open it directly — to a specific screen like a promotion, profile, or product page. If the app isn’t installed, the scanner is sent to the app store instead.

Does the QR code work for iPad-only apps?

Yes. QRKit supports a separate iPad-only App Store URL. When an iPad user scans the code, they’re sent to the iPad-specific app listing rather than the iPhone version.

What’s the difference between an app download QR code and a regular URL QR code?

A regular URL QR code opens a single web page. An app download QR code uses smart routing to detect the scanner’s device and redirect to the correct app store — App Store for iPhone, Google Play for Android. It also supports fallback URLs, scan analytics, and can be updated without reprinting. A dynamic QR code makes this possible by encoding a short redirect URL instead of a fixed destination.

App Download QR Code Generator

Create a single QR code that sends iPhone users to the App Store and Android users to Google Play — automatically.

Create a single QR code that sends iPhone users to the App Store and Android users to Google Play. Smart routing detects the scanner's device and opens the right store. No searching, no confusion, no lost downloads.

Smart RoutingiOS & AndroidScan AnalyticsDynamic QR Code

Smart Platform RoutingiOS & AndroidScan AnalyticsDynamic QR Code

STEP 1Enter the URL

STEP 2Customize your QR

Pattern

Classic

Bubble

Smooth

Sharp

Elegant

Dots

Eyes

Classic

Circle

Bubble

Smooth

Elegant

Dotted

Dynamic QREdit & track scans

Runs in your browser. Nothing to install.

Easy to use

Create an App Download QR Code in 3 Steps

Add Your App Store Links

Paste your App Store and Google Play URLs. QRKit supports Apple App Store, Google Play, and Huawei AppGallery — all from a single QR code. Add an optional fallback URL for desktop users or unrecognized devices.

Customize Your QR Code Design

Choose your QR code style, add your app icon as the logo, and set custom colors. Use a call-to-action like “Download Our App” or “Scan to Install.” Preview your QR code in real time.

Download & Share

Download as PNG (for digital use) or SVG (for print). Place the QR code on product packaging, marketing materials, business cards, or event signage — or share digitally in emails and social media. Dynamic codes let you update store URLs anytime without reprinting.

How it works

What Is an App Download QR Code?

An app download QR code is a scannable barcode that sends the scanner directly to your app in the correct app store. When an iPhone user scans it, the Apple App Store opens to your app. When an Android user scans it, Google Play opens. No searching, no typing your app name, no risk of finding a copycat instead of yours.

This is powered by smart routing: a redirect system that detects the scanner's device type (iOS, Android, or other) and sends them to the matching store URL. One QR code handles every platform. You can create one with any QR code generator that supports app store links.

The “discovery gap” is the #1 killer of app downloads from offline marketing. Someone sees your ad, but then they have to: remember your app name, open the app store, search for it, find the correct one among similar results, and tap install. At each step, people drop off. An app download QR code compresses these five steps into one: scan → install.

App developers face a universal problem: print materials can only display one QR code, but your audience uses both iPhone and Android. A static QR code linking to the App Store won't work for Android users (and vice versa). Smart routing solves this by auto-detecting the platform and redirecting accordingly.

Use cases

Where to Use App Download QR Codes

Product Packaging

Print a QR code on your product box, insert, or label. Customers scan to download your companion app — setup guide, warranty registration, loyalty program. This is the highest-converting placement because the customer already has your product in hand.

Print Advertising

Add to flyers, brochures, magazine ads, and billboards. The QR code converts passive viewers into active downloaders in one scan. Track which print channels drive the most installs.

Business Cards

Include alongside your contact info. People scan to download your company's app rather than searching for it later. Combine with a vCard QR code on the reverse side.

Event Marketing

Print on conference badges, booth displays, sponsor banners, and handout materials. Events have high intent — people are already interested in your product. A QR code captures that intent before they leave.

Restaurant & Retail

Table tents, menus, window displays, and receipts. Drive downloads of your ordering app, loyalty program, or reservation system. Pre-fill a promotional offer that unlocks on first open.

In-App Referral

Display the QR code within your own app for users to share with friends. “Show this code to a friend” is more tangible than a referral link — it works in person, at events, and in group settings.

Email & Social Media

Embed in email signatures, newsletters, and social media posts. A QR code makes sharing easier — recipients can screenshot and share the code with others who want the app.

Transit & Outdoor

Bus stops, subway ads, airport signage. Commuters scan while waiting. Use large QR codes (8+ inches) with high contrast for scanning from a distance. Track location analytics to identify top-performing routes.

For users

How to Download an App Using a QR Code

If someone has shared a QR code with you and you want to download the app, here's how:

•

iPhone (iOS 11+)

Open your Camera app and point it at the QR code. A notification banner appears at the top of the screen — tap it. The App Store opens to the app's download page. Tap “Get” to install. No special QR scanner app is needed.

•

Android (Android 9+)

Open your Camera app (or Google Lens) and point it at the QR code. Tap the pop-up link. Google Play opens to the app's download page. Tap “Install” to download. Most modern Android phones support QR scanning natively.

•

Older Phones

If your camera doesn't recognize QR codes, download a free QR code scanner app from your app store (search “QR scanner”). Open the scanner, point at the code, and tap the link that appears.

Tips for successful scanning:

Hold your phone steady, about 6–12 inches from the QR code
Ensure adequate lighting (avoid glare on glossy surfaces)
If the code is on a screen, increase brightness
Check your internet connection — you'll need data or WiFi

Compare

Static vs Dynamic — Which App Download QR Code?

It depends on whether your app is on one platform or many, and whether you need to update links after printing.

Static App Download QR Code

Basic

Encodes a single app store URL directly inside the QR code. Only links to one store at a time.

Links to a single app store
Works offline — no redirect needed
Cannot route to multiple stores
Cannot update after printing
No scan analytics

Best for

Single-platform apps (iOS-only or Android-only).

Dynamic App Download QR Code

Recommended

Encodes a redirect URL. Smart routing detects the scanner's device and opens the correct app store automatically.

Smart routing — iOS to App Store, Android to Google Play
Update store URLs from your dashboard
Full scan analytics — devices, locations, platform split
Fallback URL for desktop users
Deep linking to specific in-app screens

Best for

Cross-platform apps, marketing campaigns, printed materials.

Our recommendation: For app downloads, dynamic is almost always the right choice. Your audience is split between iPhone and Android — a static QR code can only link to one store. Dynamic codes handle smart routing, let you update URLs without reprinting, and give you scan analytics to track which channels drive the most installs.

Best practices

Best Practices for App Download QR Codes

Use Smart Routing — Always

Never print a static QR code that links to only one app store. Your audience is split roughly 50/50 between iPhone and Android (varies by region). Smart routing ensures every scanner reaches the right store.

Add App Store Badges

Place the official “Download on the App Store” and “Get it on Google Play” badges next to your QR code. These are universally recognized visual signals that instantly communicate “this downloads an app.”

Use Your App Icon as Logo

Embedding your app icon in the center of the QR code creates brand recognition and makes the code visually distinctive. It also confirms to scanners that they're about to download the correct app.

Set a Fallback URL

Not everyone who sees your QR code will scan from a phone. Desktop users, people who can't scan, or unrecognized devices should be redirected to a landing page where they can find download links for both platforms.

Track the Platform Split

Analytics tell you what percentage of scanners use iOS vs. Android. This data informs development priorities, marketing spend allocation, and your feature roadmap. If 70% of QR scanners use Android, invest accordingly.

Test on Both Platforms

Scan your QR code on both an iPhone and Android device. Verify that the correct app store opens, the correct app listing appears, and the install button is visible. Test in environments with poor connectivity to check fallback behavior.

App Download QR Code — Frequently Asked Questions

Get started

One QR Code.
Every App Store.

Stop losing app downloads to the discovery gap. Create a single QR code that auto-detects iPhone and Android and opens the right app store instantly.

Smart routing for iOS & AndroidDynamic — update anytime without reprintingTrack scans, platforms & locationsWorks on all smartphones

Create Your App Download QR Code