How to Get a LinkedIn QR Code

A LinkedIn QR code is one of the fastest ways to share your professional profile and grow your network, turning a quick real-world interaction into a lasting digital connection. This guide will walk you through exactly where to find your unique LinkedIn code, how to share it, and some clever strategies for using it to make a great first impression.

What Exactly is a LinkedIn QR Code (and Why Use It)?

Think of a LinkedIn QR code as a digital business card. It’s a unique, scannable image that links directly to your personal LinkedIn profile. When someone scans it with their smartphone camera, your profile instantly pops up on their screen, ready for them to view or connect.

The entire process takes seconds, removing all the friction of traditional networking. No more spelling out your name, searching for the right person with a common name, or exchanging business cards that might get lost. It's an immediate, clean, and modern way to bridge the gap between an in-person meeting and an online connection.

So, why should you start using it? Here are the biggest benefits:

• Instant Connections: At conferences, trade shows, or client meetings, you can connect on the spot. Instead of promising to "find each other on LinkedIn later," a quick scan seals the deal.
• Elevates Your Professional Brand: Using a QR code shows you're tech-savvy and forward-thinking. It’s a small detail that can differentiate you in a sea of paper resumes and business cards.
• Error-Proof Networking: There's no chance of someone misspelling your name or finding the wrong person with a similar name. Your QR code points to one place and one place only: your profile.
• Versatile Marketing Tool: You can add it to your email signature, presentation slides, physical marketing materials, or even your resume to give people a direct path to your full professional story.

How to Get Your LinkedIn QR Code: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting your hands on your personalized QR code is simple, but the process is primarily designed for the LinkedIn mobile app. Below are the steps for mobile and a useful workaround for desktop users.

Finding Your QR Code on the LinkedIn Mobile App (iOS &, Android)

The official - and easiest - way to find your LinkedIn code is through the mobile application. The steps are nearly identical whether you're using an iPhone or an Android device.

1. Open the LinkedIn App: Tap the LinkedIn icon on your phone's home screen to launch the app.
2. Tap the Search Bar: At the very top of your home feed, you'll see a search bar that says "Search." Tap on it.
3. Locate the QR Code Icon: To the far right side of the search bar, you'll see a small square icon made up of four smaller squares and a dot in the middle. This is the QR code symbol. Tap this icon.
4. Access Your Code: Tapping the icon will open your phone's camera in "SCAN" mode, ready to scan someone else's code. At the top of the screen, you'll see two tabs: SCAN and MY CODE. Tap on MY CODE to reveal your personal LinkedIn QR code.
5. Save or Share Your Code: You now have several options. You can show your screen to someone for them to scan directly, or you can use the buttons below the code:
   • Save to photos: This saves the QR code image directly to your phone's gallery, making it easy to access later.
   • Share my code: This opens up your phone's native sharing menu. From here, you can send the QR code image via Text, Airdrop, Email, Slack, WhatsApp, or any other app you have installed.

That's it! You now have a saved image of your QR code ready to be used however you see fit.

Getting a LinkedIn QR Code on a Desktop

Interestingly, LinkedIn doesn't offer a direct, one-click button to get your QR code from its desktop website. The feature is mobile-first. However, if you need a QR code while working on your computer, there's a straightforward workaround using a third-party QR code generator.

Every QR code you see is just a visual representation of a web link. You can easily make your own that points to your LinkedIn profile.

1. Find Your Public Profile URL: First, you need the unique web address for your LinkedIn profile.
   • Log into LinkedIn on your desktop browser.
   • Click on your profile picture or the "Me" icon in the top navigation bar and select "View Profile."
   • On your profile page, look to the top right corner and click "Edit public profile &, URL."
   • Another page will open. On the top right of this page, you'll see a section called "Edit your custom URL." This is the direct link to your profile. Highlight and copy it (e.g., https://www.linkedin.com/in/your-name).
2. Use a QR Code Generator: Open a new browser tab and search for a "free QR code generator." There are dozens of reliable options available.
3. Create Your Code: On the generator's website, paste your LinkedIn profile URL into the text box and hit the "Generate" or "Create" button. The site will instantly create a QR code image that you can download as a PNG or JPG file.

While the result is the same - a scannable code linking to your profile - the one generated by the LinkedIn app has the classic LinkedIn blue color and logo in the center, giving it a more official look. The workaround gives you a standard black-and-white code, but functionally it works just fine!

Creative and Effective Ways to Use Your LinkedIn QR Code

Once you have your QR code saved, don't just let it sit in your photo gallery. Put it to work! Here are some practical and high-impact places to use it to boost your networking game.

On Your Business Card

This is the most classic use case. A QR code offers a modern update to the traditional business card. It encourages an immediate connection and gives people access to far more information than can fit on a small piece of cardstock. They can see your entire work history, endorsements, and shared connections right away.

On Your Resume or CV

When applying for jobs, adding a modest-sized QR code near your contact information makes it incredibly easy for recruiters and hiring managers viewing a digital or printed copy to see your full-fledged profile. It simplifies their research process and shows attention to detail.

In a Presentation or Webinar

If you're speaking at an event, add your QR code to your first and last slides. On the introduction slide, you can say, "Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn," allowing the audience to scan and connect while you start your presentation. On the final "Thank You" or "Q&,A" slide, leave it up so people have another chance to connect.

On Your Event Nametag

Going to a big conference? Print your QR code on a small sticker and place it on your nametag. During those quick "walk-and-talk" conversations, people can just scan your badge to connect without fumbling for a phone to type your name.

In Your Email Signature

Add the QR code image to your email signature alongside your other contact details. This is especially useful for sales professionals, consultants, and account managers who communicate with new people frequently. It's a professional touch that reinforces your digital presence in every email you send.

As Part of Your Zoom Background

For virtual meetings, create a subtle virtual background that includes your name, title, and LinkedIn QR code in a corner. As you speak with potential clients or new colleagues, they have a persistent and non-intrusive way to look you up and connect. It's the digital equivalent of a name placard at a conference table.

On Notebooks and Planners

If you are an avid note-taker, consider customizing your planner or notebook cover with your QR code. This way, whether you meet someone for coffee or are hashing out ideas in a meeting, a connection can always be made. A QR code makes any print collateral more powerful by allowing people to learn more about you with a simple scan.

Customizing and Tracking Your QR Code

If you want to take your networking strategy to the next level, you can go beyond the standard QR code provided by LinkedIn.

Customizing for Better Branding

The QR code generated by the LinkedIn app is great but not customizable. You get the classic blue color and the logo, and that's it. If you use a third-party QR code generator (like the desktop workaround), many platforms offer customization options. You can:

• Change the color: Match the QR code to your personal brand or company colors.
• Add a logo: Instead of the standard design, you can place your own logo or headshot in the center.
• Modify the shape: Some generators let you change the shape of the dots and squares for a more unique look.

A customized QR code that matches your branding stands out and looks more professional. If you place a branded QR code on a flyer or poster, people will visually associate it with you or your company even before they scan it.

Using Dynamic QR Codes for Tracking Analytics

This is a powerful tip for serious marketers and networkers. QR codes come in two types:

• Static QR Code: The link is hard-coded into the image. You can't change the destination URL after it's created, and you can't track any data. The code from the LinkedIn app and most free generators are static.
• Dynamic QR Code: The code points to a short redirect URL, which then forwards the user to your final destination (your LinkedIn profile). Because it uses a middleman URL, you can edit the final destination later and, more importantly, track scan data.

Many third-party QR code platforms that offer customization also offer dynamic codes (often as a paid feature). With a dynamic QR code for your LinkedIn profile, you could see analytics like:

• How many people scanned your code.
• The dates and times the scans occurred.
• The city a scan happened in.
• The type of device used (e.g., iPhone vs. Android).

This can be incredibly valuable. Imagine you put a dynamic QR code on business cards for conference A and a different one on a flyer for conference B. By checking the analytics, you can see which event generated more profile views and connections, helping you measure your networking return on investment.

Final Thoughts

The LinkedIn QR code is a deceptively simple feature that packs a big punch for professional networking. It streamlines the process of making connections, elevates your personal brand, and opens up creative avenues for engaging with contacts both online and off. Following the steps and tips outlined in this guide will help you improve your networking efforts.

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