How to make a location QR code for Google Maps and Apple Maps
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Make a QR code that opens your address or exact coordinates in Maps: Apple Maps on iPhone, Google Maps elsewhere. Static vs trackable, step by step.
A location QR code opens a place in the phone's map app, ready for directions. Put it on flyers, shop windows, delivery menus, invitations or signs pointing to an entrance that's hard to find.
Create a location QR code
- Choose Location. In the dashboard, click New QR code and pick Location under Basics.
- Enter the place. Type an Address or place name, or enter both Latitude and Longitude for an exact spot. You can fill in both.
- Choose Static or Trackable. Static is a fixed place, unlimited and not tracked. Trackable counts scans and lets you change the place later. Both open through a qrcrab.com link, so both need a confirmed email.
- Style, create and download. Adjust the design, click Create QR code and download it.
The guided editor (Try the new editor (beta)) asks for the same details, split into Content, Look and Finish steps.
To get exact coordinates, long-press the spot in Google Maps (the numbers appear at the top or in the search box) or in Apple Maps. Use the decimal form, e.g. 48.8584 and 2.2945.
Apple Maps on iPhone, Google Maps elsewhere
When someone scans your code, QR Crab checks the kind of phone. iPhones get Apple Maps, and everyone else gets Google Maps, which opens in the Google Maps app if it's installed or in the browser. With coordinates, the map shows a pin at that spot; with only an address, it runs a search for it.
Some iPads identify themselves as a Mac when browsing; those get Google Maps in the browser instead of Apple Maps.
Static or trackable?
| Static | Trackable | |
|---|---|---|
| Change the place after printing | No | Yes |
| Scan stats | No | Yes, under Stats |
| Apple Maps on iPhone | Yes | Yes |
| Counts toward your plan | No, static codes are unlimited; needs a confirmed email | Uses one trackable code (3 on Free); needs a confirmed email |
New location codes start as Static. If you might move, or want to know how many people use the code, switch to Trackable before you create it; a static code can't be turned into a trackable one later. Read more in Static vs trackable QR codes: what's the difference?.
Location codes created a while ago as static may open Google Maps directly on every phone. The editor shows this for those codes; create a new code if you want iPhones to get Apple Maps.
Going further
- Have more than one branch? On Pro, a trackable location code can use How to redirect a QR code by time, device or country to send people to different links (for example another branch's map link) by time, device or country.
- For an event, an How to make an event QR code that adds to the calendar saves the date and place to the calendar in one go.
- Print the address next to the code as well, for people who'd rather type it.
Common questions
Does it open Google Maps or Apple Maps?
It depends on the phone: iPhones open Apple Maps, other phones open Google Maps. This works for both static and trackable location codes made in QR Crab.
Should I use an address or coordinates?
An address is fine for most shops and offices. Use coordinates for places without a clear address, such as a park entrance, a parking area or a market stall. If you enter both, iPhones put a pin at the coordinates labelled with your address.
We moved. Can I update the code?
Only if it's trackable: open the code → Edit & design, change the place and click Save changes. A static code always opens the place it was created with, so you'd need a new code.
Does a static location code need the internet or QR Crab?
Opening Maps needs a connection anyway. New static location codes open through a short qrcrab.com link (so iPhones can be sent to Apple Maps and abuse can be stopped), which is why creating one needs a confirmed email, but they're still unlimited and don't count toward your trackable codes.