QR Code to scan external link on IOS

Support
1

Operating system

iOS

Joplin version

13.0.7

What issue do you have?

I want to use the IOS18 scanner app to scan a QR code of the External Link of a particular note to access that note. It's for an inventory-like application to quickly access a note of a unique item with the appropriate QR code attached. This works with Apple Notes, by the way.
The problem is that the iPhone only opens Joplin, but does not go (in)to the specified note, as if anything past joplin://x-callback-url/... is ignored.
Any ideas, please?

2

I tested in 13.0.7 and the external link QR code can bring me to the corresponding note.

Try to use another QR code scanner to confirm if the QR code contains full URL, or change your QR code generator to "text" mode when creating the QR code.

3

Thanks so much, Tib! I much appreciate your reply - because now it works! And I didn't change anything that I know of.

Did you ever bring your car to the mechanic with a problem that disappeared the moment you drove into the shop? That's how I feel now.
It never worked for me during the last 12 or so months when I tested it periodically. The only thing that I know that may have fixed it is IOS 18.0.1. (Still using the same QR Code generator).

Again, thank your for your help!
Michael

4

I was digging deeper into my issue and I found that when Joplin is in "All notes", the QR code will properly open the Note.
If, however, Joplin is anywhere else - in a subfolder or in another Note - Joplin will display a blank screen with only a back button.
I can only presume that all of my previous testing was likely taking place with me having selected a subfolder rather than "All notes".

Thoughts?

Michael

5

What do you mean by "subfolder" ? Do you mean tags ? And what app do you use to capture the QR code ?

I tried leaving Joplin in a note or a notebook (list of notes) and then go to iOS built-in camera app to scan a QR code link, both times it takes me directly to the linked note correctly.

6

Hi Tib,
Before I saw your message I started over. Deleted all data, all Dropbox data, the apps etc. and reinstalled/reimported everything.
You're correct - it now works as expected!
Thank you for your confirmation. It does help to know that my crazy idea is actually doable!

(To answer your questions:

  • Instead of "Subfolders" I should have said "Notebooks". Definitely not tags.
  • The QR generators I use are either online at https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com [chose Plain text] or the QRStudio.app. Both work equally well.)

All the best!
Michael

7

Hi Michael,

I just created a PR fixing an issue possibly related to your issue: Previously, the link would only be handled if Joplin is already started and running in background. If Joplin is not started when you scan the QR code, it would open Joplin but not open the linked note.

After this PR merged it should be more robust.

8

Hi Tib,
thanks for thinking of me!
I don't recall that my issue was related to the loading of the app itself. Typically I would have had it open and therefore would not have noticed this.
I'm glad you're making the system more robust though!