Create App Store QR Codes for Free
An App Store QR code detects the user's device and redirects them to the correct store automatically — Apple App Store for iPhone users, Google Play Store for Android users. Desktop visitors see a page with both options. One QR code for all your app install campaigns.
Why it works
Why use an app store qr code?
One QR code handles iOS and Android — no device confusion
Desktop visitors see a landing page with both store buttons
Eliminates the wrong-store problem for non-technical users
Track installs by device type in the analytics dashboard
What it is
What is an App Store QR Code?
An App Store QR code automatically detects the scanner's device operating system and redirects iOS users to your Apple App Store listing and Android users to your Google Play Store listing — with no manual selection required. Desktop scanners see a landing page with both download options. This eliminates the common problem of QR codes for apps that only work for one platform.
The specific failure an App Store code prevents is sending an Android user to the Apple App Store, or an iPhone user to Google Play — a dead end that looks, from the user's side, like the code is simply broken. Detecting the device and redirecting accordingly means the same printed code works correctly regardless of who's holding the phone, which matters more than it sounds for anything printed at scale where you can't control who scans it.
The desktop case is worth planning for too. Someone scanning from a laptop webcam isn't going to install anything there — they need a page that shows both store buttons clearly enough that they can pull out their phone and finish the download properly, rather than a generic 'open on mobile' message that gives them nothing to act on.
“The failure this code exists to prevent is invisible to you and obvious to the user: an iPhone sent to Google Play looks, from their side, like the code is simply broken.”
See it in action
What happens when someone scans your app store qr code
Scan the code
Server detects iOS or Android
Correct store opens automatically
Getting started
How to create one, step by step
Enter your App Store and Play Store URLs
Paste both app store links. If you only have one, enter it — the code will redirect all users to that store.
Add your app name and icon (optional)
These appear on the desktop fallback page for visitors who scan on a computer.
Design and distribute
Place on packaging, app marketing materials, and print ads.
Track install intent by platform
See iOS vs Android scan split in your analytics dashboard.
In practice
Popular uses for an app store qr code
App install campaigns on print materials
one code across every ad, regardless of who scans it.
Packaging download prompts
a companion app promoted on the box without guessing which store to link.
Out-of-home advertising
billboards and posters that need to work for both platforms at once.
Event check-in apps
attendees install the right version without staff having to ask which phone they carry.
Retail loyalty app promotion
a single code at the till that works for the whole customer base.
App Store QR Code at a glance
0
wrong-store redirects — device detection is automatic
1 QR
code handles both iOS and Android installs
Live
scan split by device type in your analytics dashboard
0
reprints needed when your store links change
Getting it right
Best practices for app store qr codes
The code itself rarely goes wrong — how it's set up and where it's placed is what determines whether people actually use it.
Include both store URLs even if your app is on one platform
If your app is iOS-only, still create an App Store QR code (leaving the Android field blank) rather than a plain URL code. The landing page will clearly show iOS-only availability to Android users rather than sending them to a broken page.
Add your app icon to the desktop landing page
Desktop users who scan your code see a landing page. Including your app icon and name makes this page recognisable and trustworthy, increasing the likelihood they will forward the link to their phone.
Use campaign parameters in your store URLs for attribution
Both Apple App Store and Google Play support campaign tracking via their respective attribution systems. Add campaign parameters to your store URLs before encoding them in the QR code.
Check both destinations after any store listing update
App Store and Play Store links can change format after a listing update or app rename. Re-verify both URLs periodically so the redirect doesn't quietly point at a removed or renamed listing.
Which type to use
Other QR types worth pairing with app store qr codes
Questions
Frequently asked questions about app store qr codes
When a user scans the code, the Unqode SmartQR server reads the User-Agent header from their device browser and redirects accordingly. iOS devices go to the App Store; Android devices go to Play Store.
Ready to create your app store qr code?
Free plan includes 3 dynamic QR codes and 500 scans/month.