How to Scan a QR Code on Your Phone

Scan a QR code on iPhone

1. Open the Camera app and use the rear camera.
2. Point it at the QR code so the whole code is on screen.
3. Tap the yellow link or banner that appears.

You can also add Code Scanner to Control Center (Settings › Control Center) to open a scanner with one swipe. If nothing happens, check that Scan QR Codes is on in Settings › Camera.

Scan a QR code on Android

1. Open the Camera app and point it at the code.
2. Tap the link or the QR icon that appears.
3. No prompt? Open Google Lens (in the Camera, the Google app or the search bar) and point it at the code.

On many Android phones you can also add a Scan QR code tile to Quick Settings: swipe down, tap the pencil icon and drag the tile in.

Scan a QR code on Samsung Galaxy

Open the Camera app and point it at the code; tap the link that appears. If it doesn’t react, open the camera settings and turn on Scan QR codes. You can also use the Scan QR code tile in Quick Settings.

Scan a QR code on your own screen

A phone can’t point its camera at its own screen. Take a screenshot and read the code from the image instead: how to scan a QR code from a screenshot.

Why won’t my phone scan the QR code?

• Too close or too far: move until the code fills about a third of the screen.
• Dirty lens or low light: wipe the lens and add light; avoid glare on glossy paper.
• Code too small or blurry: very small prints and low-resolution images often fail.
• Inverted colors: light dots on a dark background don’t work in every scanner app.
• Damaged code or missing margin: torn stickers or text touching the code can stop it from scanning.
• Scanning is turned off: check your camera settings.

Made the code yourself? Test it before printing.

FAQ