How to scan a QR code on your phone

Fast fix 

1. Open your Camera app. 
2. Point your phone at the QR code, then tap the link to open it. 

You’ve probably seen those black-and-white, square-shaped patterns in restaurants, parking garages, and on the back of business cards—QR codes are everywhere. But do you know how to scan a QR code with your iPhone® or Android™ device? We’ll show you how in a few simple steps. 

Asurion Experts can help with all your tech needs. If the camera on your Android phone or your iPhone camera is on the fritz, we can fix that. Here’s our guide on how to scan a QR code with your phone.

What’s a QR code? 

A Quick Response (QR) code is a pattern that can store digital information, like a website link or a coupon code. These digital barcodes were invented in the mid-1990s, but they became more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic as businesses looked for contactless methods to communicate with customers.

Using your smartphone camera, you can scan a QR code and access an online link to view a restaurant menu, download concert tickets, get directions, send money to a Venmo® account, and more.  

How to scan a QR code with your Android phone camera

If you’re running Android 8 or later, you can use the camera on your Android phone to scan a QR code. Here’s how:

1. Open the Camera app. 
2. Point your phone at the QR code and center it inside the yellow square.
3. Tap the Tap to Scan pop-up banner. 
4. This will send you to the website landing page or open an app. This can often take 2-3 seconds. 

How to scan QR code using your iPhone camera

To scan a QR code with your iPhone:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Position your iPhone so you see all four corners of the QR code. It should appear on your Home Screen.
3. Tap the notification that pops up (it will likely say Open in Safari) to go to the website or app. This can often take 2-3 seconds. 

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Use the Code Scanner to scan QR codes on your iPhone

You can also use the Code Scanner feature on your iPhone to scan a QR code. Here’s how:

1. Open Settings > Control Center, then tap the plus sign (+) next to Code Scanner. 
2. Open Control Center, tap the Code Scanner, then position your iPhone so the code appears on the screen. 
3. To add more light, tap the flashlight to turn it on. 

How to troubleshoot scanning a QR code

Here are a few possible fixes if you’re having trouble scanning a QR code with your phone.

On iPhone: If you don’t see a pop-up when using your Camera app, make sure you have the Scan QR codes feature turned on. Open Settings > Camera and tap the slider next to Scan QR codes to turn it on. On Android:  

If you don’t see a pop-up when scanning your QR code with the Camera app, you can use the Google Lens™ app. 

1. With the QR code on your screen, look for the Lens icon (a circle inside a broken box). 
2. Or tap Modes (or More) in the bottom-right corner and select Lens. 
3. Position the QR code inside the white lines with your phone and tap the magnifying glass icon to scan it. 

Can I use third-party QR code scanning apps? 

You shouldn’t need to download a third-party app to scan a QR code. The simplest way is to use the built-in camera on your mobile device. 

Speaking of QR codes: Want an easy way to share your W-Fi password? Check out our guide on how to share your home network info with a QR code.