How to Make a QR Code for an App Download (Free)
A QR code makes app installs effortless — people scan a poster, flyer, or product and go straight to your download. The catch is that most apps live on both the App Store and Google Play, so a little planning makes the code work for everyone. Here's how to do it for free.
Quick answer
For a single platform, copy your App Store or Google Play link and turn it into a QR code at onesol.io/qr-code-generator. To serve both iPhone and Android from one code, point it at a landing page (like a free OneSol page) that shows both store buttons.
1. Decide where the QR should point
A QR code holds one link, so first decide: send everyone to a single store, or to a landing page that offers both. If your audience is mixed, a page with both an App Store and a Google Play button avoids sending Android users to an iPhone-only link. A free link-in-bio page from onesol.io/qr-code-generator can host both buttons.
2. Build a link that serves iOS and Android
Grab your App Store URL (apps.apple.com/...) and Google Play URL (play.google.com/store/apps/...). Put both on one page, or use a smart link that detects the visitor's device and redirects to the matching store. This is the difference between a code that works for half your audience and one that works for all of it.
3. Generate and brand the QR code
Paste your chosen link into onesol.io/qr-code-generator to create the code, then add your app icon or brand colors while keeping high contrast. Download SVG for print and PNG for screens. Confirm the link resolves to the correct store before finalizing.
4. Download, test, and place it
Scan the code on both an iPhone and an Android phone to confirm each lands on the right download. Add it to packaging, posters, receipts, and slides with a clear 'Scan to download our app' prompt. Print it at least an inch wide so cameras catch it quickly.
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FAQ
Can one QR code open the right store automatically?
Only if it points to a landing page or smart link that detects the phone's operating system. A raw App Store or Play Store link will always go to that one store.
Is there a free way to link both stores?
Yes. Put both store buttons on a free landing or link-in-bio page and turn that page's URL into a QR code — no paid smart-link service required.
Should I use a deep link into the app?
For new users, link to the store so they can install first. Deep links help existing users but fail if the app isn't installed, so a store or landing-page link is safer for acquisition.
What size should the app QR code be?
At least 2 x 2 cm (about an inch) for handheld scanning, and larger for posters viewed from a distance — roughly one-tenth of the scanning distance.
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