How to Scan QR Codes on iPhone and Android

How do I scan a QR code on my phone?

On both iPhone and Android, the easiest way is the built-in camera. Open the Camera app, point it at the QR code and hold steady. Within a second the phone recognises the pattern and shows a link or prompt that you tap to open. No extra app is required.

QR codes have become the standard bridge between the physical and digital world, so phone makers build scanning right into the camera. That means almost everyone already has a capable scanner in their pocket.

How to scan a QR code on iPhone

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Make sure you are in photo mode, not video.
3. Point the camera at the code and hold it steady.
4. Wait for the yellow banner showing the link.
5. Tap the banner to open it.

If nothing happens, move closer, add light, or clean the camera lens. You can also scan a code from a saved screenshot using the same method.

How to scan a QR code on Android

1. Open the Camera app or Google Lens.
2. Point it at the code and hold steady.
3. Tap the link or action that appears.

Android phones from most major brands scan QR codes out of the box. If your camera does not, open Google Lens and tap the image search icon.

Scanning WiFi and contact QR codes

Some QR codes do not just open a website. A WiFi QR code makes your phone offer to join the network; a vCard QR code offers to save a contact; an email or SMS code pre-fills a message. In each case, your phone shows the action and asks you to confirm, so you stay in control.

How to scan QR codes safely

• Preview the link before tapping — most phones show the address first.
• Be wary of codes stuck over existing ones, which can hide a malicious redirect.
• Never enter passwords or payment details on a page reached from an unknown code.
• Keep your phone's software up to date for the latest protection.
• Trust your instincts — if a code feels out of place, skip it.

What if the QR code will not scan?

Try more light, move closer, and avoid glare by tilting the phone slightly. If it still fails, the code itself may be too small, too dense or damaged — a common issue with long links and low-quality printing. For a reliable code, create one with our free generator and download it as a sharp, high-contrast SVG or PNG.