How to build a QR code scanner in Bubble

The simplest valid way to build a QR code scanner in Bubble is to install a QR‑scanner plugin (the most stable is “QR & Barcode Scanner” by Bubble or Zeroqode), place its scanner element on the page, start the scanner with a workflow, and then use the plugin’s event that fires when a QR code is detected to save or process the result. Bubble does not include a native QR scanner, so a plugin is required unless you custom‑build one with HTML/JS.

What you actually need to do

A QR scanner in Bubble always needs camera access. Plugins provide a visual element (like “Scanner A”) that opens the device camera and detects QR codes. When it finds one, it triggers an event such as “A QR is detected” and gives you the scanned text. You then use a workflow action to do something with that text (navigate, search your database, log attendance, etc.).

• Install a plugin that explicitly says it can scan QR codes.
• Place the plugin’s scanner element on the page.
• Give the page the “This page is a native app” unchecked so camera prompts work normally.
• Add a workflow: When Scanner A’s QR code detected → Do actions.

Step‑by‑step in Bubble

• Go to Plugins → Add plugin → search for QR → install “QR & Barcode Scanner”.
• On the page, drop the element (usually called Scanner A).
• Set its properties, e.g. Auto-start = yes so camera opens when the page loads.
• Open the workflow editor → choose event Scanner A - A QR code is detected.
• Use the data from the event (e.g. Scanner A’s detected code).
• Perform an action like “Go to page” or “Make changes to thing”.

Optional: Custom HTML scanner

This is for advanced users. You embed a JS library like html5-qrcode in an HTML element and then expose results using Bubble’s “JavaScript to Bubble” element from the Toolbox plugin.

<script src="https://unpkg.com/html5-qrcode"></script>
<div id="reader"></div>
<script>
const html5Qr = new Html5Qrcode("reader");
html5Qr.start(
 { facingMode:"environment" },
 {}, qr => { bubble_fn_scan(qr) } // sends QR to Bubble
);
</script>

Then use the Toolbox event When JavaScript to Bubble A value is changed to handle the scanned result.