vCard
What Is a vCard? Save a Contact with One Scan
3 min read
A vCard is a file format for contact details that phones and email programs all understand; you'll often see it as a “.vcf” file. When a vCard is written into a QR code, the phone that scans it recognizes the details and offers to save them to contacts with one tap.
What is a vCard for?
Typing someone's number, email and company into your contacts takes time and invites mistakes. One wrong digit can mean you never reach that person again. A vCard carries the details as a ready-made package; the other person just taps “Save”.
What can a vCard contain?
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Full name | Alex Morgan |
| Job title | Sales Manager |
| Company | Example Architects |
| Phone | +1 555 010 0199 |
| alex@examplearchitects.com | |
| Website or social profile | examplearchitects.com |
| Address | Business address |
How each field is shown can vary slightly between contacts apps. The basics (name, phone, email, company) appear in all common contacts apps.
How does a vCard inside a QR code work?
- The other person scans the QR code with the phone camera.
- The phone recognizes that the code contains a contact card.
- An option such as “Add to contacts” appears.
- One tap saves the details.
Most current iPhone and Android phones do this from the built-in camera app; some older models need a separate QR reader. Because the details are inside the code, no internet connection is needed to save the contact.
Sharing a vCard as a file
A vCard isn't only for QR codes. You can attach the “.vcf” file to an email or send it in a messaging app, and the recipient can save your details the same way. This is handy for sharing contact details after an online meeting.
What to watch out for
- Keep it short. Every extra field makes the QR code denser and harder to scan in small prints.
- Write your phone number in international format. A number starting with “+” and the country code saves correctly on phones in any country.
- Update the code when your details change. The content of a vCard QR code is fixed.
- Test before sharing. Scan the code with your own phone and check what gets saved.
Hunlio QR Business Card and vCard
Hunlio QR Business Card writes the details you enter into the QR code in the standard vCard format. You get a vCard QR code, a separate vCard file and a print-ready business card image. Your details are not stored by Hunlio as a public profile.
For a step-by-step setup, see how to make a QR business card.
Frequently asked questions
Is a vCard the same as a QR code?
No. A vCard is a file format that carries contact details; a QR code turns that data into an image a camera can read. A vCard QR code combines the two.
Do I need an app to open a vCard?
Usually not. Contacts apps recognize vCards, and most current phones read a vCard QR code with the built-in camera app.
Can I add a photo to a vCard?
The vCard format supports a photo field. A photo can make the QR code too dense to scan, though, so QR business cards usually leave it out.
Create your QR business card in minutes
Hunlio QR Business Card writes your details into the QR code as a vCard; they are not kept on a public profile. One-time payment, no subscription.
Create your QR business card →