Skip to main content

Twitter takes a page out of Snapchat’s playbook with the launch of profile QR codes

twitter qr codes
While it’s unlikely to be the key strategic move that secures Twitter millions of new, much-needed users, the app’s developers clearly see the humble QR code as a necessary addition in its ongoing quest to build the perfect social media service.

That’s right, folks, Twitter is getting its own Snapchat-like QR codes – complete with a profile pic in the center – to help you promote your own account and make it even easier to start following other users. Twitter’s Brittany Forks announced the new feature on Wednesday:

Currently rolling out for iOS and Android, iPhone users can grab their unique code by tapping the gear icon in the app and selecting “QR code” from the drop-down list. With your code on the screen, simply tap the arrow top right to bring up more options, including “save photo” as a first step to replacing your current Twitter profile shot, “tweet photo” to send it to your followers, or “share” via another service such as a messaging app or email.

When you tap the QR code button on the drop-down list, you’ll also see a “QR scanner” button on the screen, which with a single tap opens your camera so you can scan another user’s code. When you do that, that user’s profile will appear on the display and you’ll be asked to confirm that you want to follow them.

On Android, you can find the functionality via the slide-out menu on the left side of the display or by tapping on the ellipsis top right on your profile page.

Once you have your own Twitter QR code, you can stick it anywhere you like, including not only on your Twitter page but also on business cards or other physical documents if you so wish.

This latest move is one of many that Twitter hopes will help to boost user growth for the struggling microblogging service. It currently has 317 million monthly active users, though its rate of growth no longer comes close to that enjoyed by rival social media services such as Instagram and Snapchat.

The company has been grappling with a slew of issues in recent times, including how to deal with abuse on the network, a troubling problem that has driven a number of current users away while deterring new ones from joining. This week it rolled out a “muted words” filter as part of ongoing measures to protect users from abusive tweets.

Editors' Recommendations

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Twitter CEO claims platform had best day last week
A stylized composite of the Twitter logo.

Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino tweeted on Monday that despite the current fuss over Meta’s new and very similar Threads app, Twitter had its largest usage day last week.

Subtly including the name of Meta’s new app, which launched to great fanfare last Wednesday, Yaccarino did her best to sing Twitter’s praises, tweeting: “Don’t want to leave you hanging by a thread … but Twitter, you really outdid yourselves! Last week we had our largest usage day since February. There’s only ONE Twitter. You know it. I know it.”

Read more
Meta brings cartoon avatars to video calls on Instagram and Messenger
Meta's cartoon avatars for Instagram and Messenger.

The pandemic was supposed to have made us all comfortable with video calls, but many folks still don’t particularly enjoy the process.

Having to think about what to wear, or how our hair looks, or even fretting about puffy eyes following another bout of hay fever can sometimes be a bit much, even more so if it’s an early-morning call and your brain is still in bed.

Read more
Twitter is now giving money to some of its creators
A lot of white Twitter logos against a blue background.

Some Twitter users are now earning money via ads in the replies to their tweets.

New Twitter owner Elon Musk announced the revenue-sharing program in February, and on Thursday some of those involved have been sharing details of their first payments.

Read more