Google allows apps scan QR codes without developers having full camera access

Google has now featured a new code scanner in its latest APIs, allowing Android smartphones to make scanning QR codes from a distance easier

The new feature is not yet available on any devices, however, Google is making APIs featuring the new QR code scanner available to developers.

The new scanner is able to automatically detect a QR code from across the room in the camera frame, zoom in, and scan it. Google said: “The Google code scanner API provides a complete solution for scanning code without requiring your app to request camera permission, while preserving user privacy.”

The tech giant added: “This is accomplished by delegating the task of scanning the code to Google Play services and returning only the scan results to your app.”

Google also mentioned that all image processing takes place on-device, and Google said it doesn’t store any results or image data.

The drop of the requirement for camera permission to scan QR codes could be a big win for developers, as they will no longer have to develop a custom UI or camera experience.

The API uses on-device machine learning to decipher QR codes, and the only output is a barcode object to the app. Google also revealed that when users point their devices at a barcode, the scanner will intelligently detect and zoom in on the barcode.

“This eliminates the need for manual zoom adjustments, making barcode scanning faster, more accurate and more accessible.” – Google said.