Scan a QR code on iPhone
- Open the Camera app (not Photos — the live camera).
- Point it at the QR code so the whole square is in frame.
- A yellow notification banner appears at the top — tap it to open the link.
That is all there is to how to scan a QR code on iPhone, and it works on every iPhone since iOS 11 (2017). Two extras worth knowing:
- Control Center scanner: Settings → Control Center → add Code Scanner. It opens links in a clean in-app browser.
- From a photo or screenshot: open the image in Photos, then touch and hold the QR code → Open in Safari. Or select the image in Photos and tap the Live Text icon in the corner.
Scan a QR code on Android
- Open the Camera app.
- Point at the code, hold steady for a second.
- Tap the link that pops up.
That is the whole of how to scan QR code on Android: on most Samsung, Pixel, Xiaomi, and other Android 9+ phones it works out of the box. If nothing happens:
- Check camera settings for a "Scan QR codes" toggle and turn it on.
- Or use Google Lens (built into the camera or the Google app) — point, tap the result.
- From a picture: open the image in Google Photos → tap the Lens icon → tap the detected link.
Scan a QR code from a picture or screenshot
Someone sent you a QR in WhatsApp, or it's in a PDF on your screen? You can't point your camera at your own phone, so scan the QR code from a screenshot or a saved image instead:
- iPhone: save/open the image → touch and hold the code (Live Text) → open link.
- Android: open the image → Google Lens icon → tap the link.
- Any device, including desktop: upload the image to our free online QR scanner — it decodes in your browser, nothing is uploaded to a server.
Scan without a camera: an online QR code reader (desktop)
On a laptop or PC the answer is a QR code scanner online: open the QRolling online scanner, drag in a screenshot or point your webcam at the code, and the decoded link or text appears instantly.
QR code won't scan? Quick fixes
- Get more light and kill the glare — tilt the code or your phone
- Back up a little — the whole code plus its white margin must be in frame
- Clean the lens — the #1 silent killer of scans
- Hold still for a full second; autofocus needs a beat
- Still failing? The code itself may be the problem — see our full guide: why your QR code is not working
How to scan a QR code in 3 steps (any phone)
Open the camera app
The regular built-in camera: how to scan a QR code on iPhone (iOS 11+) and on modern Android both start here, and no separate scanner app is needed.
Point at the code
Frame the whole square including its white margin, about 20-30 cm away, and hold steady for a second.
Tap the notification
A banner or link pops up — tap it to open the website, WiFi prompt, contact card, or whatever the code contains.
Frequently asked
How do you scan a QR code?
Open the camera app, point it at the code until the whole square is in frame, and tap the banner or link that appears. That is the entire procedure on any iPhone from iOS 11 and on Android 9 and later — the camera does the reading, with no scanner app to install. If the code is sitting in a screenshot rather than in front of you, upload that image to an online scanner instead.
Do I need a QR scanner app?
No — every iPhone since iOS 11 and virtually all Android phones since Android 9 scan natively via the camera, so how to scan QR code on Android or iPhone is really just how to open the camera app. Third-party scanner apps are unnecessary and often ad-stuffed.
Is there a free QR code reader online?
Yes. The QRolling scanner doubles as a QR code reader online: open it in any browser, then either point your webcam at the code or drop in a screenshot or photo. It decodes inside the page, so the image is never sent to a server, and it shows you the link as text before you open it.
How do I scan a QR code that's on my own phone's screen?
Screenshot it, then scan the QR code from that screenshot: iPhone — touch and hold the code in Photos (Live Text); Android — open it with Google Lens; or upload the screenshot to our online scanner.
Why won't my camera recognize the QR code?
Usually: QR scanning disabled in camera settings (some Androids), too little light or too much glare, standing too close/far, or a damaged code. Try Google Lens as a fallback scanner.
Can I scan a QR code without internet?
Yes — decoding happens on the phone. You only need internet to open a link afterward. Text, WiFi, and contact-card QRs work fully offline.
Is it safe to scan a random QR code?
Scanning is safe — the risk is the link behind it, same as clicking any unknown link. Preview the URL your phone shows, and be wary of stickers pasted over original codes in public.
How do I scan a QR code on an older phone?
iPhones before iOS 11 or Androids before ~2018 may need a scanner: Google Lens (free) covers old Androids, and any reputable scanner app works for old iPhones.
Read next
Need a different QR type? Browse all 48 QR types on the home page.