The short answer is that you can't. The QR code creator in InDesign defaults to v2.1 of vCard, which does not support the extended character set. The only solution is to use another QR code creator, one that does support vCard v3.0 (or 4.0, although my sense is that 4 is not widely supported yet). The problem there is that there are no good creation tools and apps among the hundreds out there — all, or most, seem to be crippled by things like added tracking, data scraping, binding the code to a pay platform, etc. I am, oddly enough, in the middle of writing a long info/how-to article on using InDesign's QR code generator (which is trustworthy, standalone and transparent) to manually create a variety of data types, including vCard 3 and 4, but it's not done yet. The short answer, if it's not too cryptic, is to use the Plain Text mode to enter the vCard format manually. It's not complex, but it is a bit involved. If you can't find a good example of vCard structure, try the Wikipedia article (not something I say very often!) as a start, and if you can wait, I should have this reference article done sometime this weekend.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VCard You should be able to cut and paste the example structure into the Plain Text field, add any fields you want, and export successfully. If not, try again. 🙂 Answer from James Gifford—NitroPress on community.adobe.com
Adobe Express
adobe.com › express › feature › image › qr-code-generator › vcard
Online vCard QR Code Maker | Adobe Express
Share your contact anywhere with ... Using the Swiftools vCard QR Generator add-on in Adobe Express, you can easily create a scannable code to replace physical business cards and streamline your networking....
Adobe Express
adobe.com › express › feature › image › qr-code-generator › business
Free QR Code Business Cards | Adobe Express
Create a free QR code quickly and easily with the Adobe Express QR code maker. Generate a quality, customized QR code that can be added to your business card in seconds.
Videos
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Adobe InDesign – QR Code Generator - YouTube
Does Adobe Express have a built-in QR code generator?
Yes. In the Adobe Express editor, you can find the QR code element under Elements in the left panel. The feature generates URL-based QR codes only. Color customization is available but logo embedding and non-URL QR types are not supported. For branded codes or types like Wi-Fi, vCard, or SMS, generate at a free external tool and import the PNG via the Media panel.
quickresponsecode.com
quickresponsecode.com › home › resources › adobe express qr code generator
Adobe Express QR Code Generator: Free Workflow Guide (2026)
Is there a free QR code generator that works with Adobe Express?
Yes. QuickResponseCode.com is free, requires no account, and adds no watermark to the downloaded file. Generate the code there, download as PNG, then upload to Adobe Express via the Media panel. The full workflow takes about three to four minutes.
quickresponsecode.com
quickresponsecode.com › home › resources › adobe express qr code generator
Adobe Express QR Code Generator: Free Workflow Guide (2026)
Can Adobe Express make QR codes for free?
Yes. The standalone Adobe Express QR generator is free to use without an account and generates URL-based codes with logo upload and preset color styles. The in-editor QR element also generates URL codes at no cost. Neither supports Wi-Fi, vCard, email, or other QR types, and neither exports as SVG. For those, generate at a free external tool and import the PNG via the Media panel.
quickresponsecode.com
quickresponsecode.com › home › resources › adobe express qr code generator
Adobe Express QR Code Generator: Free Workflow Guide (2026)
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The short answer is that you can't. The QR code creator in InDesign defaults to v2.1 of vCard, which does not support the extended character set. The only solution is to use another QR code creator, one that does support vCard v3.0 (or 4.0, although my sense is that 4 is not widely supported yet). The problem there is that there are no good creation tools and apps among the hundreds out there — all, or most, seem to be crippled by things like added tracking, data scraping, binding the code to a pay platform, etc. I am, oddly enough, in the middle of writing a long info/how-to article on using InDesign's QR code generator (which is trustworthy, standalone and transparent) to manually create a variety of data types, including vCard 3 and 4, but it's not done yet. The short answer, if it's not too cryptic, is to use the Plain Text mode to enter the vCard format manually. It's not complex, but it is a bit involved. If you can't find a good example of vCard structure, try the Wikipedia article (not something I say very often!) as a start, and if you can wait, I should have this reference article done sometime this weekend.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VCard You should be able to cut and paste the example structure into the Plain Text field, add any fields you want, and export successfully. If not, try again. 🙂
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Just to close out this thread (hopefully) with useful info — it is harder to find a good "diagnostic" QR code reader than I thought. The nature of the micro-industry just seems to prevent anyone from creating and then maintaining something that doesn't generate revenue. But for anyone who wants to look at the bare bones of a QR code's data, from the raw encoding string to the stripped and parsed data, and a few other useful bits (although not the error correction mode — that would be nice), this web tool seems to be trustworthy, stable and useful. It is basically orphaned and no longer updated, and there are comments that it and some possible device apps have trouble with some newer iterations of code, but it's the best we have, more or less: ZXing Decoder Online and a sample decode:
Skillshare
skillshare.com › en › classes › create-a-digital-business-card-with-adobe-express › 1740716772
Create a Digital Business Card with Adobe Express | Tammy De Zilva | Skillshare
Adobe Express essentials · Creating Digital Business cards from both templates and from scratch · Generating a QR Code · Bonus: Creating vCard files for direct import of your contact details into others' phone contacts · What you'll create: Your very own digital business card ·
Better Marketing
bettermarketing.pub › how-to-handle-adobes-buggy-qr-code-generation-in-indesign-the-right-way-in-2022-6520eddc703f
How to Handle Adobe’s Buggy QR Code Generation in Indesign | by Stephan Romhart | Better Marketing
October 27, 2022 - And here is the result after clicking OK. The generator built a QR code as a vector graphic in the chosen Pantone color. ... At the first moment, we couldn’t understand at all why the errors happened when interpreting the QR codes. The QR code for business card data is in vCard format.
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InDesign's QR code generator generates v2.1 VCards, and apparently some newer phones/readers don't read the older phone number format that v2.1 writes.If are using the standard ID Business Card QR template, if you hover over the QR code that is placed in your document, a pop-up should show the information included.e.g. v2.1 vCard:TEL;WORK;VOICE:000-000-0000v3.0 vCards are written differently, and apparently many newer phones require v3.0 or newerTEL;type=WORK;type=VOICE:000 000-0000Outside of looking to a 3rd party QR code generator, you can find online v3.0 vCard generators, and paste that info into ID's QR Code "Plain Text" option.In the meantime, add your voice to the feature request to update ID's QR code generator! (sorry, I don't have a link at the moment)
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Es increible que genere el Indesign QR VCARD que no se puedan leer en los Mac y Apple IPhone. Tiene un generador obsoleto en versión 2.1, que no funcionan. Deverían realizarse en 3.0 para que funciones con productos de Apple a parte de Adroid. A ver si lo implementan los programadores de Indesign ya (cosa que me parece muy sencilla de arreglar), o si no son capaces que quiten la generación de las Vcards,.... porque imáginate las tarjetas impresas con los QR inservibles que van a ir a la basura, y el gasto de volver a realizarlos y reimprimirlos.... INCREIBLE!!!!
Adobe Support Community
community.adobe.com › home › app communities › illustrator › questions › creating a vcard code using qrcode maker in illustrator cc to add to address book on phone
Creating a Vcard Code using QRCode maker in Illustrator CC to add to address book on phone | Community
November 15, 2017 - You can of course copy & paste the vCard's source code and have that encoded, but then it's up to your app to recognize it and make sense of it. Depending on what other users use this may not work, anyway, so frankly I'd just tell my client to ditch the idea. There's no way to make it work reliably for every user. Welcome to the world of mobile madness. ... Illustrator used to have a business card function associated with the QRCode creator where did it go?
Adobe Exchange
exchange.adobe.com › apps › cc › 3361 › qr-code-generator
QR Code Generator
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Adobe
helpx.adobe.com › in › express › using › Generate-QR-code.html
Generate QR codes | Adobe Express
April 2, 2026 - Create custom QR codes effortlessly with Adobe Express. Learn how to generate QR codes for links with easy-to-follow steps. Perfect for business cards, flyers, and more!
Softmatic
softmatic.com › manual › qridext
Create QR Codes in Adobe InDesign 2021
Follow the instructions here for ... in the store. Creating a QR code in InDesign works in four easy steps: Select the data content of the QR code: Text, URL, phone no., email address, VCard......
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I am never sure why it's thought that QR codes are somehow "fluid" or "dynamic" or dependent on server/net data. A QR code is simply a barcode, a complex one that can encode up to several hundred characters of data while still remaining "coarse" enough to be read easily. (When the data reaches its limit, the QR pattern can be so fine that any small printing or display flaw makes it unreadable.) Once generated, all the QR code has, forevermore, is the data that was encoded in it. It will remain readable as long as it is clear enough for a suitable reader/decoder to read and decode it. It does not matter where or how it was generated. The only thing that is "dynamic" about QR codes is when they actually encode an address or URL that can be redirected. Those destination addresses have to remain available, or scanning the code won't do anything useful... just as if you typed in a 'dead' web address. But the codes are permanent and fixed at the moment of creation, and can only be changed by re-generating them with different embedded information.
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Hi @Adam21915573ezxs: As a head up, InDesign includes the command in Object > QR Code.https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/generate-qr-code.html And no, the InDesign QR codes don't expire. They will work as long as the URL is active. ~Barb
Adobe Support Community
community.adobe.com › t5 › acrobat-discussions › vcard-qr-code-acrobat-pro › td-p › 14808445
Vcard qr code acrobat pro - Adobe Product Community - 14808445
August 20, 2024 - Un champ de texte (qrcode) contient les données requises pour une vcard : BEGIN :VCARD VERSION :3.0 TYPE :individual N ; CHARSET=UTF-8 :SA ;;; FN; CHARSET=UTF-8 :Th TEL ; TYPE=TRAVAIL,VOIX :+32 TEL ; TYPE=ACCUEIL,VOIX :+32 EMAIL ; TYPE=PREF,INTERNET :jjj@jjj FIN :VCARD · un champ code-barres utilisant les données du champ « QRCODE »