# Universal Code Scanner — Secure Barcode & QR Scanner

> Privacy-focused scanner for barcodes, QR codes, and payment links. (iPhone/iPad app by Marcus Pleintinger.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-code-scanner/id1597726866 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Marcus Pleintinger](https://appshunter.io/developer/938374594)
- Category: Utilities, Photo & Video
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 7 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 3 MB
- Languages: American English, German (Germany)
- Released: 2022-04-10
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-code-scanner/id1597726866/reviews.md

## What is Universal Code Scanner?

Universal Scanner is a privacy focused, simple and lightweight application for verifying the content of a wide range of 2d codes. The main features are:
- Displays code type and raw content
- Option to check scanned URLs against phishing (Quishing)
- Converts EPC QR codes (SEPA transfers) to 'bank://' or 'payto://' URL (useful if your banking app does not support EPC codes)
- Share raw data or converted data with Airdrop
- No user tracking
- No analytics
- No ads
- No in-app purchases (voluntary donations only)
- No automatic opening of links (could be enabled in settings)
- Scan history optional and disabled by default
- Small download size

Supported code types:
QR, EAN8, UPCE, Aztec, EAN13, ITF14, Code39, Code93, PDF417, Code128, DataMatrix, Code39Mod43, Interleaved2of5, Codabar, MicroQR, MicroPDF417, GS1DataBar, GS1DataBarLimited, GS1DataBarExtended

## Key features

- Scans QR, EAN, Aztec, DataMatrix, and more
- Checks URLs against phishing (Quishing)
- Converts EPC QR codes to bank/payto URLs
- Shares decoded data via Airdrop
- No user tracking or analytics
- Ad-free and no in-app purchases

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mid Donation | $2.99 | one-time |
| Small Donation | $0.99 | one-time |
| Big Donation | $5.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (7 of 7)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-code-scanner/id1597726866/reviews.md

### 1/5 — App auf Imac

*2026-02-09*

kann nicht geschlossen und entfernt werden

### 5/5 — Super kostenlose App

*2025-04-29*

Diese App macht genau das, was sie soll. Sie ist simpel und unprätentiös und werbefrei, was für eine kostenlose App mehr ist, als man erwarten kann.
Ein “Switch Camera” Button wird leider nur für den Bruchteil einer Sekunde angezeigt - ansonsten finde ich diese Funktion an keiner anderen Stelle. Diese Funktion fände ich tatsächlich hilfreich, denn dann könnte man die iPhone Kamera zum Scannen verwenden. 
Die App hat, finde ich, trotzdem 5 Sterne verdient.

**Developer response:** Der "Wechsle Kamera" ist nur für Geräte mit mehreren Kameras gedacht. Eine "Remote Kamera" Funktion ist aktuell nicht geplant. Die App gibt es aber auch für iOS Geräte und die erkannten Daten können über die "Share" Funktion an einen Mac gesendet werden. Vielen Dank für die Bewertung...

### 5/5 — Worked great on my Macbook Pro

*2024-06-20*

Needed a scanner to get codes for labels, made my life a lot easier, worked great!

### 5/5 — highly recommended

*2023-10-04*

you will not regret adding this app to your arsenal.

### 5/5 — 🤔 legit? or scan scam❓

*2023-09-21*

Edit: dev gave a spot-on reply to my concern. He also makes an app for Sonos which looks to be excellent. 

original review: I've had this app a while, but I've never used it. I have no way of determining whether it is legit. In the app there is no info about the developer, no privacy policy, nothing that will tell me that I shouldn't worry about this. This is an opportunity for the developer to reply:

**Developer response:** Hi, i understand your concerns. The privacy policy is linked in the App Store page, not directly in the app. I will add this in the next version. I made this app because I always wanted to have a look to the data/url in a code before visiting that site. That's why this app is really made with maximum user privacy. No login, no tracking, no analytics, no history. Just scan any code, look a the "raw" data inside and then decide what you want to do. Share the "raw" data with AirDrop or visit a URL if it looks ok. The app is free but you can make a donation via in app purchase if you like. If you have any additional question just use the support contact address visible at the App Store page.

### 3/5 — 🤔 legit? or scan scam❓

*2023-09-16*

I've had this app forever, but I've never used it. I have no way of determining whether it is legit. In the app there is no info about the developer, no privacy policy, nothing that will tell me that I shouldn't worry about this.

This is an opportunity for the developer to reply:

### 5/5 — Nice

*2023-03-24*

Thanks.

## Frequently asked questions about Universal Code Scanner

### What types of codes can Universal Code Scanner read?

Universal Code Scanner supports a wide array of code types including QR, EAN8, UPCE, Aztec, EAN13, ITF14, Code39, Code93, PDF417, Code128, DataMatrix, Code39Mod43, Interleaved2of5, Codabar, MicroQR, MicroPDF417, GS1DataBar, GS1DataBarLimited, and GS1DataBarExtended.

### Does Universal Code Scanner have ads?

No, Universal Code Scanner is completely ad-free. The developer has explicitly stated 'No ads' in the app's description, ensuring an uninterrupted scanning experience.

### Is Universal Code Scanner free to use?

Yes, Universal Code Scanner is free to download and use. The app mentions 'voluntary donations only' for support, indicating no mandatory purchases or subscriptions.

### How does Universal Code Scanner protect user privacy?

The app is designed with privacy as a core feature. It explicitly states 'No user tracking', 'No analytics', and 'No automatic opening of links' by default, ensuring your data remains secure.

### Can Universal Code Scanner help with payment codes?

Yes, it can convert EPC QR codes (used for SEPA transfers) into 'bank://' or 'payto://' URLs. This is particularly useful if your banking application doesn't natively support these codes.

### What devices are compatible with Universal Code Scanner?

Universal Code Scanner is available for Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod. Its small download size makes it suitable for a wide range of Apple devices.

### How often is Universal Code Scanner updated?

The latest version, 4.0, was last updated on December 5, 2025. This indicates a commitment to ongoing development and improvements for the application.

### What is the age rating for Universal Code Scanner?

Universal Code Scanner has an age rating of 4+. This means it is suitable for users of all ages, with no content restrictions.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.1 — 2026-05-10

- Introducing Scan History: Your scanned codes are now saved automatically - up to 200 items. Auto-save is disabled by default and can be enabled in Settings.

- Bug fixes for older iPad models.

### 4.0 — 2025-12-05

- Added zoom and focus point of interest (single tap in preview)

- New settings to restore last zoom and light

- Generic support for url schemes (containing '://')

- Show additional technical details for Aztec, PDF471 and DataMatrix codes

- Bugfix for Camera orientation

- New app icon

### 3.2 — 2025-11-15

- Improved scanning performance, especially for very close and small codes

### 3.1 — 2025-08-28

- Short-URLs like bit.ly, t.co and many others will be resolved to their target url and checked for phishing

### 3.0 — 2025-07-25

- Option to check scanned URLs against phishing (Quishing)
- Small bugfixes

## Apps similar to Universal Code Scanner

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Code Reader - QR Scanner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-reader-qr-scanner/id1225393668) | 4.6 (243) | Free | Utilities |
| [QR Code Scanner: QR Reader](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-scanner-qr-reader/id6502285859) | 4.7 (15) | Free | Utilities |
| [AI Actions for Shortcuts](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ai-actions-for-shortcuts/id6465250302) | 4.6 (26) | Free | Utilities |
| [QR Code Reader](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-reader/id6469319539) | 4.7 (124) | Free | Utilities |
| [QR Code Reader && Generator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qr-code-reader-and-and-generator/id6462482086) | — | Free | Utilities |
| [Anycode Wallet Barcode Scanner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/anycode-wallet-barcode-scanner/id1538232377) | 4.7 (63) | Free | Utilities |

## More apps by Marcus Pleintinger

- [SonoSequencr](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sonosequencr/id967043604)
- [Pleintinger Bestell-App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pleintinger-bestell-app/id6764636625)

All apps by Marcus Pleintinger: https://appshunter.io/developer/938374594

## Related topics

[code scanner universal](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/code-scanner-universal)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-26.*