Place One QR Photo on Your Android Home Screen

Displays a single image (your QR code) as a widget; tapping it opens nearly full‑screen in Google Photos or your default gallery app.

Goal

Put exactly one QR image on the home screen and make it open large on tap—no extra apps required.

Prep (one time)

  1. Add the QR image to Google Photos. If it’s not there yet, share or save the image to Photos.
  2. Create a 1‑photo album (guarantees single‑image display): open the QR → tap ⋮ → Add to album → New album → name it QR Widget → Save.
Using a one‑photo album ensures the widget never rotates to other images.

Add to Home Screen

  1. Long‑press an empty area on the home screen → tap Widgets.
  2. Scroll to Google Photos (or your phone’s Gallery) and drag the Photo widget onto the home screen.
  3. When the widget asks what to display:
    • If you see Select images, choose your QR image and confirm.
    • If you only see Select album, choose QR Widget (the album with one photo).
  4. Resize the widget: long‑press it and drag the handles to a square you like.
  5. Test: tap the widget. It should open the image almost full‑screen. Pinch to zoom if needed for scanning.

Tips for Reliable Scans

  • Use a high‑contrast QR (black on white) with a clear quiet zone (blank margins).
  • Avoid screenshots that crop too tight; leave some whitespace around the code.
  • If scanning is picky, tap to open full‑screen before scanning.

Launcher Notes

Icon vs. widget size: Many launchers enforce a minimum widget size of 2×2 cells (larger than an app icon). If you require a true 1×1 icon that opens the image, you’ll need a small helper/shortcut app.
  • Set Google Photos as default image viewer for faster opens: Settings → Apps → Default apps.
  • Some launchers can lock the home‑screen layout to prevent accidental moves.

Troubleshooting