From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:

"Carlos E. R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> writes:

[...]

It did not occur me to do this. Of course, this method involves google
and internet, is not private. You may later get commercials related to
that qrcode.

Android is Google's operating system, the default browser is Google
Chrome, how will you visit a website without Google knowing about it? If
you start with the camera app, it's going to open a web browser anyway.

On Samsung phones, Chrome is not the default, but (Samsung) 'Internet'
is. Likewise other manufacturers might have their non-Chrome default.

Of course on Google phones, Chrome is the default, but in the grand
scheme of things, Google is just starting as a phone manufacturer. Until
about two years ago, Google phones were not even available in many
countries, including ours.

I think Opera had a scanner built in, the last time I looked, but Opera
is owned by a Chinese company, but then the phone was probably made by a Chinese company.

I think my Huawei phones also had another (than Chrome) browser, but
I can't remember what it was.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> writes:

Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:

"Carlos E. R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> writes: [...]

It did not occur me to do this. Of course, this method involves
google and internet, is not private. You may later get commercials
related to that qrcode.

Android is Google's operating system, the default browser is Google
Chrome, how will you visit a website without Google knowing about it?
If you start with the camera app, it's going to open a web browser
anyway.

On Samsung phones, Chrome is not the default, but (Samsung)
'Internet' is. Likewise other manufacturers might have their
non-Chrome default.

Of course on Google phones, Chrome is the default, but in the grand
scheme of things, Google is just starting as a phone
manufacturer. Until about two years ago, Google phones were not even available in many countries, including ours.

I think Opera had a scanner built in, the last time I looked, but
Opera is owned by a Chinese company, but then the phone was probably
made by a Chinese company.

I think my Huawei phones also had another (than Chrome) browser, but
I can't remember what it was.

OK but I think Samsung is in the same game as Google. And whatever
browser you use, it's going to call the android networking to get the IP address of the site, and send its own IP address in the header. So all
this is a bit over-thinking if you just want to order a meal in
Wetherspoons or whatever.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Richmond wrote:

I think my Huawei phones also had another (than Chrome) browser, but
I can't remember what it was.

OK but I think Samsung is in the same game as Google. And whatever
browser you use, it's going to call the android networking to get the IP address of the site, and send its own IP address in the header. So all
this is a bit over-thinking if you just want to order a meal in
Wetherspoons or whatever.

Samsung's browser started as a fork of Chromium, supposedly to "reduce reliance" on Google, but it's tied to Samsung's ecosystem, for example
a. Samsung's ad blocker
b. Samsung's cloud (for bookmarks)
c. Samsung Pass
d. Samaung's UI design language
etc.

As noted by Richmond, Android phones always have two layers involved
a. The browser (Chrome, Samsung Internet, Huawei Browser, Firefox, etc.)
b. Android¢s networking stack, which every browser uses underneath

So even if you switch browsers, they all ultimately rely on:
a. Android's DNS resolver
b. Android's network interface
c. Your device's IP address (or proxy IP) being sent to the server

Unless you choose privacy-aware browsers which we covered long ago.

As for using a camera app to scan barcodes/QRcodes, in general, I prefer a specific tool to one that tries to do everything (for the obvious reasons).

On QR/Barcode scanners, the OP is in good hands, but to further add value
that hasn't surfaced yet, when we covered all the questions about barcode & QRCode scanners in great detail long ago on this newsgroup, the following
made my short list when I tested every free no-advertisement app rated we
could find at the time, but I just checked the URLs and some are now dead).

This free adfree open source barscode scanner reads and generates barcodes.
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.atharok.barcodescanner>

This barcode scanner supports a lot of formats.
Barcode Scanner, by Cognex Corporation
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.manateeworks.barcodescanners>

This barcode scanner will output the identity of an unknown barcode format.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.srowen.bs.android
(drat. I just tested the URL and it's 404 but we all have our own archives)

This will faithfully generate a barcode of many standard formats for you.
Barcode Generator, by Aeiou
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blogspot.aeioulabs.barcode>

For QR code scanners, of course we tested them, also in fantastic detail.
As I recall (from my notes) this was one of the best, but it's now gone.
QR Code Scanner - Scan Barcode Tap Shapes Co., Ltd
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=barcodescanner.qrscanner> (drat. The link, years later, is now gone so folks will use their archive)

This one worked well at the time but I see now that it has added ads. :(
QR & Barcode Reader QR SCAN Team
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.scanteam.qrcodereader>

These made honorable mention at the time (I haven't re-looked them up).
QR Code Reader <krow.dev.qrcode>
QR Code Scanner <com.scanteam.qrcodereader>
QR Code Scanner - Scan Barcode <barcodecanner.qrscanner>
QR Scanner <com.secuso.privacyFriendlyCodeScanner>

I make no claims as to if better new apps have surfaced since as I'm happy
with the results since my tests generally get the best people can hope for.

Generally I will usually not recommend any app that isn't free, as you lose privacy when you pay even a cent, nor will I recommend apps with any ads.
--
One out of a million people own the capability to test all known product.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On Sat, 14 Feb 2026 11:59:54 +0000, Richmond wrote:

Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> writes:

I am trying to scan a QR code and failing miserably.

If I just use 'Camera' then nothing at all happens when the QR code is
shown. Searching tells me to "Enable Google Lens SUggestions" in my
camera app's 'General' settings, there isn't any 'General' settings
area and none of the options available are anything like "Enable Google
Lens SUggestions".

So, I tried running Google Lens directly, that sees the QR code OK and
if I ask it tells me that it's a QR code and all about QR codes. But it
doesn't seem to want to actually scan the code and go to the web site
that it is (hopefully) pointing at.

What am I doing wrong?

The phone I'm using is an Umidigi running Android 11.

The android search box, by default a google search, has a camera icon on
the right, which I use to scan. When scanning a code it typically will display a web address and then I have to click on it.

Unfortunately this doesn't work on my phone.
realme 6 Pro running Android 11.

It locates the QR code but doesn't seem to be able to translate it into anything.

Seems happier with a barcode.

Cheers


Dave R
--
AMD FX-6300 in GA-990X-Gaming SLI-CF running Windows 10 x64

--
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

David <wibble@btinternet.com> wrote:

On Sat, 14 Feb 2026 11:59:54 +0000, Richmond wrote:

Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> writes:

I am trying to scan a QR code and failing miserably.

If I just use 'Camera' then nothing at all happens when the QR code is
shown. Searching tells me to "Enable Google Lens SUggestions" in my
camera app's 'General' settings, there isn't any 'General' settings
area and none of the options available are anything like "Enable Google
Lens SUggestions".

So, I tried running Google Lens directly, that sees the QR code OK and
if I ask it tells me that it's a QR code and all about QR codes. But it
doesn't seem to want to actually scan the code and go to the web site
that it is (hopefully) pointing at.

What am I doing wrong?

The phone I'm using is an Umidigi running Android 11.

The android search box, by default a google search, has a camera icon on the right, which I use to scan. When scanning a code it typically will display a web address and then I have to click on it.

Unfortunately this doesn't work on my phone.
realme 6 Pro running Android 11.

It locates the QR code but doesn't seem to be able to translate it into anything.

Seems happier with a barcode.

Are the apps you use up-to-date? I.e. specifically the 'Google' app
(the app with the name 'Google') and the (Google) 'Chrome' app (the app
with the name 'Chrome'. (Note: We are *not* talking about QR code
scanning with the device's 'Camera' app, because that app is manufacturer-dependent.)

They both work on my current phone, but I wanted to try them on an
older (Android 13) phone, but didn't have a QR code handy, so I asked
Google for a "sample QR code with web address".

Apparently the Chrome browser - at least on Windows - can create a QR
code for any webpage by just right-clicking on that webpage and
selecting 'Create QR Code for this page', which will create a .png file
which you can display with any image viewer and then scan with the
'Google' or 'Chrome' apps on your Android devices.

So update the 'Google' and 'Chrome' apps on your Android devices and
generate and scan a QR code.

At least your "Samsung Tab A8 tablet (Android 14)" should work,
because it has a newer Android version than my Samsung Galaxy A51
(Android 13) phone.

Hope this helps.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Frank Slootweg wrote:

They both work on my current phone, but I wanted to try them on an
older (Android 13) phone, but didn't have a QR code handy, so I asked
Google for a "sample QR code with web address".

Apparently the Chrome browser - at least on Windows - can create a QR
code for any webpage by just right-clicking on that webpage and
selecting 'Create QR Code for this page', which will create a .png file
which you can display with any image viewer and then scan with the
'Google' or 'Chrome' apps on your Android devices.

So update the 'Google' and 'Chrome' apps on your Android devices and generate and scan a QR code.

To add further additional value to Frank's suggestion above about QR code generation, I hacked out a quick PSA for finding free ad free generators.

Newsgroups: comp.mobile.android
Subject: PSA: Free ad-free Android QR code generator apps
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:39:31 -0600
Message-ID: <10nkgnj$2r8p$1@nnrp.usenet.blueworldhosting.com>

Caveat:
I didn't test them all, and some only have 10+ or 100+ downloads,
whereas those with 100K+ downloads were too commercialized (IMHO).
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:40:29 +0000, Frank Slootweg wrote:

David <wibble@btinternet.com> wrote:

On Sat, 14 Feb 2026 11:59:54 +0000, Richmond wrote:

Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> writes:

I am trying to scan a QR code and failing miserably.

If I just use 'Camera' then nothing at all happens when the QR code
is shown. Searching tells me to "Enable Google Lens SUggestions" in
my camera app's 'General' settings, there isn't any 'General'
settings area and none of the options available are anything like
"Enable Google Lens SUggestions".

So, I tried running Google Lens directly, that sees the QR code OK
and if I ask it tells me that it's a QR code and all about QR codes.
But it doesn't seem to want to actually scan the code and go to the
web site that it is (hopefully) pointing at.

What am I doing wrong?

The phone I'm using is an Umidigi running Android 11.

The android search box, by default a google search, has a camera icon
on the right, which I use to scan. When scanning a code it typically
will display a web address and then I have to click on it.

Unfortunately this doesn't work on my phone.
realme 6 Pro running Android 11.

It locates the QR code but doesn't seem to be able to translate it into
anything.

Seems happier with a barcode.

Are the apps you use up-to-date? I.e. specifically the 'Google' app
(the app with the name 'Google') and the (Google) 'Chrome' app (the app
with the name 'Chrome'. (Note: We are *not* talking about QR code
scanning with the device's 'Camera' app, because that app is manufacturer-dependent.)

<snip>
All my Apps auto update, so everything should be on the latest version.
--
AMD FX-6300 in GA-990X-Gaming SLI-CF running Windows 10 x64

--
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

David <wibble@btinternet.com> writes:

On Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:40:29 +0000, Frank Slootweg wrote:

David <wibble@btinternet.com> wrote:

On Sat, 14 Feb 2026 11:59:54 +0000, Richmond wrote:

Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> writes:

I am trying to scan a QR code and failing miserably.

If I just use 'Camera' then nothing at all happens when the QR
code is shown. Searching tells me to "Enable Google Lens
SUggestions" in my camera app's 'General' settings, there isn't
any 'General' settings area and none of the options available are
anything like "Enable Google Lens SUggestions".

So, I tried running Google Lens directly, that sees the QR code
OK and if I ask it tells me that it's a QR code and all about QR
codes. But it doesn't seem to want to actually scan the code and
go to the web site that it is (hopefully) pointing at.

What am I doing wrong?

The phone I'm using is an Umidigi running Android 11.

The android search box, by default a google search, has a camera
icon on the right, which I use to scan. When scanning a code it
typically will display a web address and then I have to click on
it.

Unfortunately this doesn't work on my phone. realme 6 Pro running
Android 11.

It locates the QR code but doesn't seem to be able to translate it
into anything.

Seems happier with a barcode.

Are the apps you use up-to-date? I.e. specifically the 'Google' app
(the app with the name 'Google') and the (Google) 'Chrome' app (the
app with the name 'Chrome'. (Note: We are *not* talking about QR code
scanning with the device's 'Camera' app, because that app is
manufacturer-dependent.) > <snip> > All my Apps auto update, so
everything should be on the latest version.

I just noticed that Vivaldi, on my Amazon Tablet, which is based on
Android 11, has a QR code scanner. It appears on the right of the
location bar when you put the cursor in the location bar. (I side loaded Vivaldi from the Vivaldi website).
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

David wrote:

All my Apps auto update, so everything should be on the latest version.

I wrote a tutorial on auto update, where I found that almsot none of the
apps people *thought* were automatically updated by Google Play, were.

If you're expecting Google Play Store app to automatically keep track of updates, then you'll find out that in most cases, it's not even close.

Ask me how I know this...
<https://i.postimg.cc/02xKj04h/updateallapps03.jpg>
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

David <wibble@btinternet.com> wrote:

On Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:40:29 +0000, Frank Slootweg wrote:

David <wibble@btinternet.com> wrote:

On Sat, 14 Feb 2026 11:59:54 +0000, Richmond wrote:

Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> writes:

I am trying to scan a QR code and failing miserably.

If I just use 'Camera' then nothing at all happens when the QR code
is shown. Searching tells me to "Enable Google Lens SUggestions" in
my camera app's 'General' settings, there isn't any 'General'
settings area and none of the options available are anything like
"Enable Google Lens SUggestions".

So, I tried running Google Lens directly, that sees the QR code OK
and if I ask it tells me that it's a QR code and all about QR codes.
But it doesn't seem to want to actually scan the code and go to the
web site that it is (hopefully) pointing at.

What am I doing wrong?

The phone I'm using is an Umidigi running Android 11.

The android search box, by default a google search, has a camera icon
on the right, which I use to scan. When scanning a code it typically
will display a web address and then I have to click on it.

Unfortunately this doesn't work on my phone.
realme 6 Pro running Android 11.

It locates the QR code but doesn't seem to be able to translate it into
anything.

Seems happier with a barcode.

Are the apps you use up-to-date? I.e. specifically the 'Google' app
(the app with the name 'Google') and the (Google) 'Chrome' app (the app with the name 'Chrome'. (Note: We are *not* talking about QR code
scanning with the device's 'Camera' app, because that app is manufacturer-dependent.)

<snip>
All my Apps auto update, so everything should be on the latest version.

Sigh! Why did you snip all the rest and did not respond to any of it!?
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Maria Sophia wrote:

If you're expecting Google Play Store app to automatically keep track of updates, then you'll find out that in most cases, it's not even close.

Ask me how I know this...

With your non-typical use of Android devices, I'm not sure that your experience matches most users ...
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Andy Burns wrote:

Maria Sophia wrote:

If you're expecting Google Play Store app to automatically keep track of
updates, then you'll find out that in most cases, it's not even close.

Ask me how I know this...

With your non-typical use of Android devices, I'm not sure that your experience matches most users ...

Hi Andy,

That's a good point.
The Google Play Store package <com.android.vending> is not a real updater.

For example, it doesn't know about side-loaded apps. Nor even apps from
the Google Play repo but loaded by alternative means (e.g., Aurora).

It even misses apps loaded using the EXACT Google Play Store signatures!
(Which happens when re-installing APKs original from the Play Store app.)

The best we can say about it is that Google Play's updater is sort of like
a librarian who only updates books she personally remembers checking out.

And even then, she's lazy in that she's optimizes for battery life and
server load, not completeness, so she may delay updates for days or weeks.

Worse, if you're not signed into a Google Account, supposedly there is no "library", but in my tests, the updater does update about 15 specific apps.
<https://i.postimg.cc/HsXKj7WK/updateallapps01.jpg>

Huh?

It turns out that Google Play has (at least) two different mechanisms for deciding whether it should update an app,
1. Library-based ownership (but no account === no library)
2. System-adopted packages (no Google account is required)

Google Play will automatically update any app that meets ALL conditions:
a. System apps
b. Pre-installed Google apps
c. OEM apps signed with the same key as the Play Store version
d. Some apps bundled by the manufacturer
e. Any app originally present in /system or /product
f. Any app marked as "updatable by Play" in the system metadata

On my system, last I checked (which was long ago), that's:
Google Maps
Google Duo
Google Play Services
Google
Android Auto
Speech Services by Google
Android System WebView
YouTube
Google Play Services for AR
Your Phone Companion
Microsoft OneDrive
.... (the screenshot was cut at that point) ...

Note the three categories of apps that are updated on my device.
1. Google system-level components (e.g., Google Play Services)
2. Google apps that shipped with my ROM (e.g., Google Maps)
3. OEM-bundled apps that Play recognizes (e.g., Microsoft OneDrive)

On my system, as you noted, the Google Play Store updater only updates
[x] apps pre-installed on the device
[x] apps signed with the same key as the Play Store version
[x] apps marked as Play-updatable in system metadata
[x] apps recognized as "owned" by the system, not the user
[x] apps not dependent on a Google account library

It's all or nothing.
Every checkmark above must be made before the updater, updates.

In short, if you always log into a Google Account, and if you *only* load
apps from the Google Play Store while logged into that account, and you
*never* copy apps to another phone, then, and only then will the Google
Play Store upater update them.

On my system, out of about a thousand packages (of which about six hundred
were installed by me), the update only catches about a score of those.
--
It's just not possible to create an account and still have privacy.





--- Synchronet 3.21c-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

On 2026-02-25 16:59, Maria Sophia wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:

Maria Sophia wrote:

If you're expecting Google Play Store app to automatically keep track of >>> updates, then you'll find out that in most cases, it's not even close.

Ask me how I know this...

With your non-typical use of Android devices, I'm not sure that your
experience matches most users ...

Hi Andy,

That's a good point. The Google Play Store package <com.android.vending>
is not a real updater.

For example, it doesn't know about side-loaded apps. Nor even apps from
the Google Play repo but loaded by alternative means (e.g., Aurora).

It shouldn't.


...
--
Cheers, Carlos.
ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;
--- Synchronet 3.21c-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.mobile.android

Carlos E.R. wrote:

For example, it doesn't know about side-loaded apps. Nor even apps from
the Google Play repo but loaded by alternative means (e.g., Aurora).

It shouldn't.

Hi Carlos,

You bring up a good point in that the it" in "it shouldn't", makes sense if
we only look at the updater functionality of the <com.android.vending> app.

But guess what?

Android Authority reported Google is rolling out a feature where the Play
Store can detect sideloaded apps to offer an 'Update from Play" option.
<https://www.androidauthority.com/play-store-update-permission-apk-3466169/>

I have no idea what the status of that rollout option is though.
Does anyone?
--
The point of Usenet is for smart people to help each other & for results
to be archived so that anyone can access our immense tribal knowledge.
--- Synchronet 3.21c-Linux NewsLink 1.2