How to Scan a QR Code on iPhone, Android or a Computer
By ScanHatch · Published · 4 min read
Most phones can scan QR codes with the built-in camera, no app needed. This guide covers the quickest way on each kind of device, how to read a code that's already on your screen, and what to try when a code refuses to scan.
On an iPhone or iPad
- Open the Camera app and point it at the code. You don't need to take a photo.
- When the code is recognised, a yellow link or notification appears. Tap it to open the link or action.
iPhones have read QR codes in the Camera app since iOS 11. There's also a dedicated Code Scanner you can add to Control Centre, which is handy in low light because it has its own torch button.
On an Android phone
Most recent Android phones read QR codes in the standard camera app: point, wait for the pop-up, tap it. Some manufacturers put the feature behind a lens or scan mode, or in the camera settings. If your camera doesn't react, Google Lens (in the Google app, or often in the camera itself) reads QR codes on almost every Android phone.
Android also has a scanner in the WiFi settings: open the network list and look for a QR icon next to “Add network”. It's useful for WiFi codes when the camera app only shows the raw text.
On a laptop or desktop computer
Computers don't usually scan QR codes out of the box. Two options work in any modern browser:
- Use a webcam: the ScanHatch scanner reads codes held up to your laptop camera, entirely in the browser.
- Use an image: if the code is in an email or document, take a screenshot and upload or paste it into the QR decoder.
Scanning a code that's on your own screen
It's awkward to scan a code shown on the same phone you'd scan it with, for example in a message or a PDF ticket. Take a screenshot instead, then:
- On iPhone, open the screenshot in Photos. Recent versions of iOS detect the code and show a QR button or link.
- On Android, open the screenshot with Google Lens.
- On any device, upload it to the QR decoder, which also shows exactly what the code contains.
When a QR code won't scan
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| Nothing happens | Move back a little. Phones can't focus closer than roughly 10 cm, and the whole code (with some margin) needs to be in view. |
| Code is small or far away | Zoom in slightly rather than moving closer, or move closer until the code fills about half the screen. |
| Glare or reflections | Tilt the phone or the code so light doesn't bounce off glossy paper, laminate or a screen. |
| Dark room | Turn on the torch, or increase the brightness of the screen showing the code. |
| Code on a curved or crumpled surface | Flatten it, or scan from straight on so less of it is distorted. |
| Light code on a dark background | Some scanners can't read inverted codes. Try Google Lens, or a scanner app that supports them. |
| Only shows text, no button | The phone doesn't recognise the format, for example some calendar codes. You can still copy the text. |
If a code you made yourself is hard to scan, the cause is usually low contrast, a missing margin, a large logo or a dense code printed too small. The QR Validator measures each of these from an image, and QR code colours, contrast and logos explains the fixes.
Scanning safely
A QR code can point anywhere, and fake codes stuck over real ones on parking meters, posters and restaurant tables are a known scam. Phones show the link before opening it, so take a second to read it:
- Check the domain name is what you expect and spelled correctly.
- Be suspicious of a code that immediately asks for card details or a login, especially for parking or payments.
- Look for a sticker placed over an original code.
- When in doubt, type the organisation's address yourself instead of following the code.
ScanHatch's scanners never open anything automatically. They show the decoded content and the website's name first, and warn about some common tricks, such as login details hidden in a link.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an app to scan QR codes?
Usually not. The camera apps on iPhone and most Android phones read QR codes directly.
Can I scan a QR code from a photo?
Yes. Open the photo in Google Lens or the iPhone Photos app, or upload it to a QR decoder.
Is it safe to scan any QR code?
Scanning only reads the text. The risk comes from opening a link, so check the address your phone shows before you tap it.