Android comes with a handy dandy QR code reader installed. It’s always at the ready when you need to scan a code. Being a QR code reader, you shouldn’t really expect any added functionality from it. However, Google is looking to surpass expectations and add a new feature. According to a new report, the Android QR code reader will let you scan passes and health cards to add to Google Wallet.
This is a neat feature, and it shows that Google wants to upgrade how you add cards to your Google Wallet. Just recently, we got the news that Wallet allowed people to scan barcodes to add cards. For example, if you have a gym membership card, you can scan its barcode to add it to your wallet. It’s a way of adding cards to your wallet that aren’t on the pre-populated list of cards.
The Android QR code reader will let you scan passes
The latest beta version of the Google Play services (version 23.42) is now out, and it brings an update to the Android QR code reader. You will be able to add different passes to your Wallet along with smart health cards. In the beta, when you scan the QR code, it will detect if it’s the code for a smart health card or other card.
Once it detects that it’s a specific kind of card, you’ll see a little Google Wallet panel pop up from the bottom with an add to Wallet button. When you tap on that button, you’ll see the Google Wallet app open with a picture of the card you’re adding. On the bottom of the screen, you’ll see the Add button. Once you tap on that button, it will be added to your wallet.
Right now, in order to use this feature, you’ll need to be running Android 13, have the latest beta version of the Google Play Services installed, and activate the appropriate flags. If you don’t want to mess around with the flags, then you’ll just want to wait for it to hit the stable channel.