qr-backup is a command-line utility that converts digital files into printable pages of QR codes. The resulting PDF can be printed and stored as a physical backup, providing a way to preserve important information without relying exclusively on electronic storage.
The program is particularly suited to relatively small files such as configuration data, documents and other information where long-term recoverability matters more than storage density. Files are divided into QR-encoded blocks and arranged across one or more pages.
Recovery can be performed by scanning the printed codes with a webcam or document scanner. qr-backup also includes error recovery, allowing some QR codes to be missing or unreadable without necessarily losing the original file.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Convert files into printable PDF documents containing QR codes.
- Back up multiple files and directories through archive creation.
- Restore the original data by scanning printed QR codes.
- Use a webcam to read codes during recovery.
- Recover from scanned images using a document scanner.
- Include printed restoration instructions in the backup document.
- Support restoration without having qr-backup installed, using documented command-line tools.
- Compress data automatically to reduce the number of printed pages.
- Optionally encrypt backups using a passphrase.
- Generate a random encryption passphrase when requested.
- Use Reed-Solomon erasure coding to recover data when some QR codes are missing.
- Support recovery with up to approximately 30% of codes missing when using compatible restoration settings.
- Print multiple copies of individual QR codes for additional redundancy.
- Shuffle the distribution of codes between pages to reduce the effect of localised damage.
- Configure QR code density, error correction, printing resolution and page dimensions.
- Add custom notes and choose how recovery instructions appear on printed pages.
- Perform optional verification of generated backups.
- Support output redirection and use within shell pipelines.
Website: github.com/za3k/qr-backup
Support:
Developer: Zachary Vance
License: Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal
qr-backup is written in Python. Learn Python with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| QR Tools | |
|---|---|
| Zint | Barcode generating solution |
| CoBang | QR code and barcode scanner |
| Qreator | Easily create your own QR codes |
| Decoder | Fancy yet simple QR Codes scanner and generator |
| qrtool | Encode and decode QR code |
| QRab | QR code reader |
| qr-backup | Paper backup of files using QR codes |
| QR ScanGen | QR code scanner and generator |
| QR Scanner | QR scanner/generator app |
| libqrencode | Encoding data in a QR Code symbol |
| ClipQR | Scan QR codes on screen and from camera |
| Qrca | QR code scanner for Plasma Mobile |
| qr-rs | Encode URLs or text into QR codes |
| segno | Python library and CLI tool for generating QR Codes and Micro QR Codes |
| AR Tag | Minimalist image editor |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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This looks rather funky.