While playing Watch Dogs, you may have noticed incomplete QR codes randomly scattered across the map. What you may not have known is that somewhere close by is the other piece to that code, and a camera that if lined up correctly, will unlock an audio log. We’ll show you how to find and scan all 16 of these codes, unlocking the Gangster Assault Rifle and bonus mission that leads to the Read-Only trophy.
But wait, there’s more! As you’re scanning each of the codes, you might notice another QR code off the left and written beside it, “Unknown origin, possible ties to DedSec.” These are real codes that you can scan by downloading a QR code reader from your smartphone’s app store. Once scanned, each one will reveal a message that appears to taunt Aiden, as well as the hacker group known as DedSec.
Read below to find the location of each QR code, the camera you need to hack to scan it, as well as the solution to the hacker puzzle in the bonus mission. If you’re still having trouble, the video at the bottom of the page should do the trick.
Note: You can pick these up in free roam, meaning that if you finish the story you can still go back and get them. Also, no matter what order you scan them in, the audio logs will play in the same order.
QR Code 01 – South Parker Square
The code is found on top of the Food & Liquor building near an intersection. Head down the street to the south of the code and hack a low hanging camera just above two garage doors. Turn the camera to the north and scan the code. If you scan the QR code to the left with your smartphone, it will reveal a hidden message from G1gg1L3s 01.
Hidden Message: Hey DedSec! ┌∩┐(◣_◢)┌∩┐
QR Code 02 – North Parker Square
This one is just a short distance to the north from the first. When approaching the code from the south, you’ll see it on the right hand side next to a For Rent sign. Turn down the alley to the left before you reach the QR code. You’ll find the camera on the corner of a historical looking building on the left side of the alley. Scanning the second QR code with your smartphone reveals another hidden message.
Hidden Message: DedSec can suck my 8=====>
QR Code 03 – West Side of The Wards
This one requires a boat. Head to the west end of The Wards, near the dam on your map. You’ll see the code if you look from west to east. Look for a camera posted on the dam, hack it and you can scan the code. Use your smartphone to scan the code on the left of your screen for a secret message.
Hidden Message: Don’t QQ if U can’t find me.
QR Code 04 – South End of The Wards
The QR code that you’re looking for faces west, so approach from the east and stop before you get to the gun store. If you pass the gun store you’ve gone too far. The camera you need to hack is located on the south side of the road, high up on what looks like an old apartment building. Hack and face it to the east to scan the code, then use your smartphone to decipher the secret message.
Hidden Message: *\0/* U found one! *\0/*
QR Code 05 – West Brandon Docks
This one is located on the southwest end of the bridge on the large Tidis building. Move to the east end of the bridge and hack the camera on the corner of the building. Use the camera to scan the QR code, then bust out your smart phone to find another hidden message.
Hidden Message: DedSec? More like DedSUC!
QR Code 06 – East Brandon Docks
You’ll find this code on the side of the building with the Safe Energy Saves You Money billboard. Head to the gas station to the northeast of the building, hacking a camera sitting on a light pole. Scan the code to hear the audio log, then use your smart phone to snag the secret message.
Hidden Message: Mark IV style muthaf*cker!
QR Code 07 – Central Brandon Docks
Head to the nearby train platform and go up top. The station is to the east of the QR code which sits to the side of another Tidis building. While standing on the west stairs leading up to the platform, hack a camera that sits on the corner of the building. Doing this will allow you to scan the QR code, then snag the hidden message with your smart phone.
Hidden Message: (^._.^) U can findz QR codes!
QR Code 08 – North Brandon Docks
When you reach the location of the QR code, head to the east, past two buildings. You’ll find the camera you need to hack sitting on the corner of a building. Scan the code and use your smartphone to snag the QR code to the left and decipher the message.
Hidden Message: U R getting WARMER
QR Code 09 – South End of The Loop
Head below the train platform that is just barely to the east of the QR code. Head to the north stairs that lead to the platform but don’t go up these steps. You’ll find the camera you need to hack on the wall to the east. Once you scan the code, use your smartphone to pick up the second one to the left and discover a secret message.
Hidden Message: Can U find D rest?
QR Code 10 – Southwest End of The Loop
In order to find the camera you need to hack, go below the freeway, finding yourself on the northwest shore where the three rivers meet. The camera is under the freeway. Hack it and aim it back toward the southeast. You’ll find the QR code under the freeway. Once you snag it, use your smartphone scan and find yet another secret message.
Hidden Message: BadBoy17? Bad, BOY, 17? Really?
QR Code 11 – Northwest Island of The Loop
Head to the train platform to the southwest of the QR code. Wait for the trains to pass, then jump up on the tracks and head to the northeast, following the bend to a platform off the right side. Hop up on top of the platform, then hack the camera high up on the wall. Point the camera north to find the QR code, then use your smartphone to find the hidden message.
Hidden Message: Itz all 4 d GIGGLES!
QR Code 12 – Northeast End of The Loop
This code is smack dab in the middle of a four-way intersection of an alley. When you get to the center of the alley, head down the northeast wing of the alley, hack the camera on the wall, then scan the QR code. Make sure to point your smart phone at the monitor and scan the code to the left to reveal one of the secret messages.
Hidden Message: G1gg1L3s… 1L… IL… Get it?
QR Code 13 – South Central Area of Mad Mile
You want to head to the east of where the code is actually located. You will find the camera you need to hack far up on the wall of a building, across the street east of the Chicago Water Tower. Two cameras sit nearby and it’s easy to hack the wrong one. You’ll know you have the right one when the code pieces together to the west. Make sure to use your smartphone to scan the second QR code on your screen to continue deciphering the taunts from G1gg1L3s 01.
Hidden Message: How U finding these? ಠ_à²
QR Code 14 – Northwest Area of Mad Mile
This code is extremely close to one of your fast travel points. Head to the area and into a parking lot where you will find a garage door you can hack. Hack the camera above the door on the building to the right to scan the QR code. Don’t forget to use your smartphone to get the hidden message.
Hidden Message: U must werk out. >_<
QR Code 15 – Southwest Area of Mad Mile
You need to be on the west of the code and across the street. Find a camera high up on a wall, point it to the east and find the QR code to the right of a billboard with a car on it. Make sure to use your smart phone to scan the second code on the left side of your screen to reveal another piece of the taunting hidden messages.
Hidden Message: o_O O.O O.o O_ﾃｳ
QR Code 16 – Pawnee
This is the only code in Pawnee, so it won’t be hard to find. Head for the broken bridge and drive onto it. Hack a camera on a light pole and then look toward the billboard. Scan your final QR code, then use a smartphone to decipher the final portion of the secret message. Doing this will unlock an assault rifle called the Gangster. Enjoy it!
Hidden Message: ~~(8:> will U be my BFF? 4 realz!
Bonus Mission – Hack G1gg1L3s
Once you get the 16th code, you’ll get a call from someone at DedSec. Head to the marker on your map which takes you back to Mad Mile. Find the intrusion box on the side of the building, then hack into it and get ready to break through the security system.
Unfortunately, describing how to hack the system would be quite difficult. Lucky for you, we have some handy screen captures above, as well as a video which shows you the solution to the puzzle. When you pass this bonus mission you’ll unlock the Read-Only trophy for the PlayStation, or the achievement of the same name for the PC and Xbox systems.
Hack Chicago with Prima’s free Watch Dogs walkthrough.
Go in-depth with the official Watch Dogs guide!
