How to scan a QR code with your phone
Scanning a QR code takes two seconds and, on most phones, no extra app at all. Here's how to do it on iPhone and Android — and how to scan a code that's already saved as a screenshot.
Scan a QR code on iPhone
Open the Camera app and point it at the QR code. A yellow banner appears at the top — tap it to open the link. That's it; iOS has a built-in scanner since iOS 11.
If nothing happens, go to Settings → Camera and make sure 'Scan QR Codes' is turned on.
Scan a QR code on Android
Most Android phones scan from the default camera: open it, point at the code and tap the link that appears. On some phones you'll find a QR shortcut in the Quick Settings panel or in Google Lens.
If your camera doesn't detect it, open Google Lens (or the Lens icon in the Google app) and point it at the code.
Scan a QR code from a screenshot or photo
On iPhone, open the image in Photos and tap the Live Text / Lens icon, or long-press the code. On Android, open Google Lens, choose a photo from your gallery and it reads the code.
This is handy when someone sends you a QR code as an image and you can't scan it with the camera.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an app to scan a QR code?⌄
No. Both iPhone and most Android phones scan QR codes from the built-in camera. An app is only needed on very old devices.
Can I scan a QR code from a screenshot?⌄
Yes. Use Google Lens on Android, or the Lens / Live Text feature in Photos on iPhone, to read a code saved as an image.
Why won't my phone scan a QR code?⌄
Check that QR scanning is enabled in camera settings, that there's enough light and contrast, and that the code isn't too small or blurry. Try Google Lens as a fallback.