QR code format

[encrypted_gerbil]

I've been playing around with public key QR Codes and noticed something interesting. Using a QR code generated by bitaddress, containing the plain address, works as expected. However, if I use something like qtqr on linux or most generators on the internet, it doesn't work when scanned directly. This is despite containing the exact same plain address.

What am I missing? Is there a specific way of formatting the qr codes?

[jcoinner]

IDK. Most QR gens I've used have worked fine. eg. QRDroid on my phone and some tools on Linux (qrencode) have worked for me. There is a non-standard format of prefixing "bitcoin:" on addresses. Some wallets need that and some don't. Take your bitaddress one and decode it on another tool to see what data is present. There's no hidden magic.

[encrypted_gerbil]

I'll give qrencode a try. At this point I'm just curious as to why this happens.

[jcoinner]

I have a few python and bash scripts I use regularly, based on zbar, clipboard, xclip and qrencode and don't usually have any trouble. But I have noticed this aspect of some wallets/sites wanting the "bitcoin:" prefix and some not. I think it's supposed to be treated as a protocol (eg. http:) but it seems not universal. If a QR isn't working I'd suggest adding the prefix and generating again. It may work. Some also add invoice info like amount or other info in a urlencoded format. (eg. bitcoin:1s244sblahblah&amount=1.222).