Judging by the frequency at which it is explained on the forums, there is a user-expectations problem: people don’t expect a QR code to contain anything except a link to a webpage. They certainly don’t expect a web link to be a data format as well as a link to the webpage.
One could put a note under the QR code and link. Something like
“You can open this link offline in Deltachat”
That might be a hint that the code and links aren’t just web links.
Kinda depends on the people you ask. The universal/deep link pattern is quite common nowadays, if you have the app, then the link opens in the app, if you don’t have the app the website tells you to download the app. Instagram, Reddit and other popular apps do this AFAIK.
I would prefer to have some custom text under generated QR code.
Not always QR is scanned immediately. Sometimes it’s send over internet. Sometimes it’s just camera shot which stays in user’s photo gallery, to be scanned later, when it’s needed - like business card.
People can’t read QR with their eyes, and even if they can, some long cryptic link will add no clue… so probably this photo will be deleted.
I know it’s possible to make a screenshot… open it in some app… and add some text… But the most natural way is to think ‘I want her to write me on DC, on that my account’, open that account and press QR button - and it’s done.
“Scan to chat with [profilename]” is automatically added to the QR code in at least some clients. Once you’ve exported a key or VCard, things like opgpcard will make business cards etc. for you.
Yes, you’re right. And universal/deep links seem to be becoming more common, so the misunderstanding should become rarer with time.