How to Scan a QR Code (iPhone & Android)
Scanning a QR code is one of those things that is simple once you know how, but easy to fumble the first time. The short version is that you almost never need a dedicated app any more, because phone cameras now recognise codes on their own. Below are the exact steps for iPhone and Android, plus how to handle the trickier cases like scanning a code from your own screen.
Scan with the iPhone camera
Every iPhone running iOS 11 or later, which means essentially every iPhone in use today, can scan QR codes straight from the Camera app. There is nothing to install.
- 1. Open the Camera app. Use the default Apple Camera, not a third-party one. You can launch it from the home screen or by swiping left on the lock screen.
- 2. Point at the code. Aim the rear camera so the whole QR code sits inside the frame. You do not need to press the shutter.
- 3. Wait for the banner. A yellow notification with the link appears at the top of the screen within a second or two.
- 4. Tap to open. Tap the banner to open the website, join the WiFi network, or save the contact, depending on the code's content.
If nothing appears, open Settings → Camera and make sure "Scan QR Codes" is switched on. It is enabled by default, but it can be turned off accidentally.
Scan with Android camera or Google Lens
Most modern Android phones (Android 9 and later on the majority of devices) also scan QR codes directly from the camera. Because Android varies by manufacturer, there are two reliable routes.
- 1. Try the Camera app first. Open your camera, point it at the code, and look for a pop-up link or a small QR icon to tap. On Pixel, Samsung, and most others this works out of the box.
- 2. Use Google Lens if needed. If the camera does not react, open Google Lens (built into the Camera, the Google app, or Google Photos) and point it at the code. Lens reliably detects QR codes on virtually every Android phone.
- 3. Tap the result. Whichever route you use, tap the detected link to act on it.
Samsung users can also scan from the quick-settings panel by tapping the dedicated "Scan QR code" tile. The result is the same: a tappable link.
Scan from a screen or saved photo
What if the QR code is on the very phone you would normally scan with, for example a code someone texted you, or one you saved? Pointing the camera at your own screen will not work. Use one of these instead:
- iPhone: Save or screenshot the image, open it in the Photos app, and look for the Live Text / link suggestion, or long-press the code. You can also open the screenshot and tap the link icon that appears.
- Android: Open the image in Google Photos and tap the Lens button, or open Google Lens and choose a photo from your gallery. Lens reads the code from the still image.
This same trick works for codes saved from emails, PDFs, or chat messages: get the image into your photo library, then let your photos app or Lens read it.
Troubleshooting: when it won't scan
If a code stubbornly refuses to scan, run through this checklist. Most failures come down to a handful of simple causes.
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Too close or too far | Move so the whole code fills about half the frame, then hold steady. |
| Poor lighting or glare | Add light or change your angle to remove reflections from glossy surfaces. |
| Blurry camera | Wait for autofocus to lock, or tap the code on screen to focus. |
| Dirty or scratched lens | Wipe the camera lens with a soft cloth. |
| Low-contrast or tiny code | The code itself may be flawed; ask for a clearer version. |
If you are the one creating codes and people report scanning trouble, the usual culprits are too little contrast, a missing quiet-zone margin, or printing the code too small. Our guide on how to create a QR code for free covers how to avoid those, and you can always test a fresh code with a free generator such as the one from our technology partner QRbug.
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Try QRbug FreeA note on safety
Scanning a QR code is harmless in itself; the only risk is where the code takes you. Because the destination is hidden until you scan, a small but growing scam called "quishing" puts malicious codes in public, sometimes as a sticker placed over a legitimate one on a parking meter or restaurant table. Protect yourself with three habits: always read the preview link your phone shows before tapping it, be suspicious of codes that ask you to log in or pay unexpectedly, and avoid scanning codes from unsolicited emails or flyers. For a fuller breakdown, see our article on QR code scams and quishing. If you are new to the format altogether, our explainer on what a QR code is is a good next read.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an app to scan a QR code?
No. On almost every modern iPhone and Android phone the built-in Camera app scans QR codes automatically. Just open the camera, point it at the code, and tap the link that appears. A separate scanner app is no longer necessary.
How do I scan a QR code that is on my own screen?
If the code is on the same phone you are using, take a screenshot, then open it in Google Photos (Android, tap Lens) or the iPhone Photos app, which detects the code and offers the link. You can also long-press the image in some apps to scan it.
Are QR codes safe to scan?
Scanning itself is safe; the risk is where the code sends you. Always preview the link your phone shows before tapping, be cautious with codes in public places that look like stickers placed over the original, and never enter passwords or payment details on a page you reached from an unexpected code.