With Digital Business Cards we can encode a vCard into the barcode.
Users can quickly and easily add contact information to their address book by simply scanning a QR code with their smartphone, eliminating the need for manual entry.
What is a vCard? A vCard is a standard file format that stores contact information like Name, Telephone number and address.
Terminology
QR Code:
A two-dimensional barcode commonly used for storing data that can be scanned by smartphones. (This is the recommended barcode type for vCard encoding
Barcode Payload:
The data encoded within a barcode, in this case, a vCard containing contact details.
Barcode Type:
The type of barcode used (e.g., QR Code, Aztec, PDF417, Code128).
Text Below Barcode:
The text displayed beneath the barcode, often with instructions like "Scan to Add Contact."
Security Animation:
An animation displayed on the barcode when scanned, enhancing security in Google Wallet.
Rotating Barcode:
A Google Wallet specific feature where the barcode changes periodically for added security (requires additional setup).
Selecting the barcode type
When in the designer click on the barcode. From here we can change the type of barcode to be shown on the design. There are 5 options.
QR
Aztec
PDF417
Code128 (1d barcode)
None
Adding a vCard to barcode encoded value
The encoded value refers to the value that is returned when the barcode is scanned. In this case we are going to use a vCard.
Scroll down below the Barcode Type selector to the Barcode Payload field. We have conveniently left an example which you can follow
BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:3.0
N:PassKit;Percy
FN:Mr. Percy PassKit
ORG:PassKit;Customer Support
TITLE:Customer Support Agent
ADR;WORK:;;123 Main St.;Anytown;CA;12345;USA
TEL;WORK;VOICE:(123) 456-7890
TEL;CELL:(555) 123-4567
EMAIL;WORK:support@passkit.com
URL:https://passkit.com
NOTE:This is a vCard example.
END:VCARD
Edit the Barcode Payload
You can edit the vCard to use your own details.
Edit the Text Below Barcode
You can also edit the text that is shown below the barcode on the pass. In this example it is set to show "Scan to Add Contact", but you can change this to your preference.
Edit Google Wallet Specific Barcode Features
Google Wallet has some security features for the business card barcode.
Security Animation - The barcode will display a shimmering animation when you move your phone
Rotating Barcode - Rotating barcodes change periodically.
Rotating Barcodes needs additional set up, please check HERE for further details
Click to view the Google design and click on the barcode to open the barcode settings.
Use the toggle to enable/disable these features.
Click "Done" and "Save" when finished.
Test
Check how your test pass looks after making these changes
If you haven't issued a test pass and added to Wallet yet, please see here
View the pass and changes in your Wallet.
Tip - Scan the barcode on your test pass to check if the Vcard is correctly set up