How to scan a QR code
On almost any modern phone, you don't need an app — the camera does it. Here's how to scan on iPhone and Android, how to scan a code that's already on your screen, and what to do when a code stubbornly won't read.
On iPhone (iOS 11 and later)
QR scanning is built into the Camera app. You don't need to download anything.
- Open the Camera app.
- Point it at the QR code so the code sits within the frame.
- A yellow link banner appears at the top. Tap it to open the destination.
If nothing appears, ensure QR scanning is enabled in Settings → Camera → Scan QR Codes. You can also add a dedicated Code Scanner to Control Center for a faster, link-only scan.
On Android
Most Android phones (Android 9 and later, give or take by manufacturer) scan from the camera too:
- Open the Camera app and point it at the code; tap the link that pops up.
- If your camera doesn't detect it, open Google Lens — available in the Camera, the Google app, or Google Photos — and point it at the code.
- Some phones include a QR scanner shortcut in the Quick Settings panel (swipe down from the top).
From a photo or screenshot
When the code is already on your phone — in a saved image or a screenshot — you can't point the camera at it. Instead:
- iPhone: open the image in Photos; a link suggestion often appears, or use Live Text / Visual Look Up by tapping the code.
- Android: open the image in Google Photos and tap the Lens icon to read the code.
Without the native camera
On an older device that lacks built-in scanning, a reputable QR scanner app will work, or Google Lens if available. Avoid obscure scanner apps loaded with ads and permissions — the native camera or Lens is safer and free.
Scanning on a computer, tablet, or webcam
Phones aren't the only option. When a code lands on a desktop — in an email or a document — you have a few routes:
- iPad and tablets — work exactly like phones: open the camera and point it at a printed code.
- Webcam tools — some browser-based and desktop apps read a code held up to your computer's camera. Use a reputable one.
- On-screen codes — if the code is already on your computer screen, the simplest fix is to scan it with your phone, or save the image and read it with a photo-based scanner.
- Browser extensions — handy for codes embedded in web pages, though weigh the permissions any extension requests.
Our own in-browser QR code reader covers all of these: it reads from a webcam or a dropped image, decodes everything locally, and shows you the link before you open it.
Troubleshooting: when a code won't scan
Before blaming the code, try the basics: clean the lens, hold steady so it focuses, and adjust distance.
- Move closer or farther. Too close and the camera can't focus; too far and the modules blur together.
- Improve the light. Glare on a glossy print or a dim room both defeat scanning. Angle slightly to kill reflections.
- Frame the whole code including its quiet-zone margin. A cropped code can't be decoded.
- Check contrast. Low-contrast or inverted (light-on-dark) codes fail on many readers. See design best practices.
- Try Google Lens as a fallback — it's often more forgiving than the default camera.
Make a code that scans first time
Generate a high-contrast code with a proper quiet zone and export it sharp — free and private.
Open the generatorFrequently asked questions
Do I need an app to scan a QR code?
No. The built-in Camera app on modern iPhones (iOS 11+) and Android phones scans QR codes natively. Point the camera and tap the link that appears.
How do I scan a QR code on iPhone?
Open the Camera app, point it at the code, and tap the yellow link banner. Make sure "Scan QR Codes" is enabled in Settings → Camera.
How do I scan a QR code that's on my screen?
Open the image in your photo gallery and use Live Text on iPhone or the Google Lens icon on Android to read the embedded code.
Why won't my QR code scan?
Usually contrast, focus, or distance. Clean the lens, improve the lighting, frame the whole code with its margin, and move closer or farther. Try Google Lens if the camera struggles.