How to scan a QR code on iPhone and Android
Open your phone's camera, point it at the QR code and hold steady for a second. When a link or button appears on the screen, tap it. iPhones and most Android phones do this in the built-in camera, with no app to install.
Updated
iPhone
With the Camera app:
- Open Camera and use the rear camera in photo mode.
- Point it at the QR code so the whole code is on screen.
- A yellow button appears with the website name or action, like “Join network”. Tap it.
With Code Scanner: Apple also has a dedicated scanner. Add it to Control Center: open Control Center, touch and hold an empty area, tap Add a Control, then choose Scan Code. It opens a full-screen scanner that works well in low light, with a torch button.
From a photo or screenshot: open the image in Photos, then touch and hold the QR code, or tap the Live Text button in the corner, and tap the link that appears.
Android
Android phones come from many makers, so the steps vary a little. One of these will work:
- Camera app: open it, point at the code, and tap the link or button that appears. On Samsung Galaxy phones, if nothing happens, open the camera’s Settings and turn on Scan QR codes.
- Quick Settings tile: swipe down from the top of the screen and look for a QR code scanner tile. You may need to edit the tiles to add it.
- Google Lens: open the Google app or Lens and point it at the code. Lens also works from your photo gallery.
- Circle to Search: on supported phones, touch and hold the home button or navigation bar, then circle a code that is on your screen. No screenshot needed.
From a photo or screenshot: open it in Google Photos and tap Lens.
What the code can do
Different codes do different things once scanned. Your phone shows what it is about to do:
- Website link: opens the page in your browser or the matching app.
- WiFi: offers to join the network. No password typing. (Make a WiFi code.)
- Contact card: shows a contact you can save with one tap.
- Phone number or text: opens the dialler or a new message, ready to send. Nothing is sent or called until you tap.
- Plain text: shows the text on screen.
If it does not scan
| Problem | Try this |
|---|---|
| Nothing appears | Move back until the whole code fits, with some space around it. Hold still for two seconds. |
| Blurry image | Wipe the camera lens, and tap the screen to focus. |
| Too dark | Turn on more light, or use the torch in iPhone’s Code Scanner. |
| Glare on glossy paper or a screen | Tilt the phone or the paper a little. Turn up the screen brightness for codes on screens. |
| Android camera ignores it | Turn on QR scanning in camera settings, or use Google Lens. |
| It scans, but the page fails | The code is fine; the link is broken or the site is down. Tell whoever made the code. |
If you made the code yourself and others cannot scan it, the QR code troubleshooting guide covers size, contrast and printing problems.
Check before you tap
Your phone shows where a code leads before opening it. Take a second to read the website name, especially if the code asks you to pay or sign in. The guide is it safe to scan a QR code? covers what to look for, without the scare stories.
Try it now
The code in the generator below opens our home page. Point your phone at your screen and scan it. Then make your own: replace the link with any other, and the code updates as you type.