How to Scan a QR Code on iPhone and Android (Camera, Gallery and Photos)

You can scan a QR code with the Camera app that is already on your phone. No extra app is needed on most phones. On an iPhone, open the Camera app and tap the link that appears. On an Android phone, open the Camera app, make sure camera scan suggestions are on, and tap the bubble or link that appears.

If the Camera app does not work, use Google Lens. To scan a QR code from an image, such as a photo or screenshot, open it in the Photos app on iPhone, or in Google Photos or Google Lens on Android. This guide shows each method step by step, and what to try when a code will not scan.

Scan a QR Code with Your Phone's Camera

Use the Camera app that came with your phone.

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Point it at the QR code so the whole square is on the screen.
3. Tap the link or bubble that appears to open the content.

If nothing appears, try Google Lens, or use the phone-specific steps below.

Scan QR Codes on iPhone

These steps come from Apple's support page.

1. Open the Camera app from the Home Screen, Lock Screen or Control Center.
2. Hold your iPhone so that the QR code appears in the frame.
3. Tap the link that appears to open the content.

You can also use the Scan Code button in Control Center. To add it, touch and hold the background of Control Center, tap Add a Control, and choose Scan Code in the gallery.

Scan QR Codes on Android

These steps are for Pixel phones and come from Google's help page. Menus can look different on other Android brands.

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Go to Settings > More settings > Camera scan suggestions and make sure it is on.
3. Point the camera at the QR code so the whole square is on screen. The camera recognises it and shows a bubble or link.
4. Tap the bubble or link to open it.

If your Android phone does not scan from the Camera app, use Google Lens instead.

Scan QR Codes from Gallery or Photos

You cannot point the camera at a code that is already on your phone, for example in a screenshot or a WhatsApp image. Scan it from the image instead. These steps come from third-party guides, and the exact wording on your phone may differ.

• Android: Open the image in Google Photos and tap the Lens button. Or open Google Lens and choose the image from your gallery. Lens finds the QR code in the image.
• iPhone: On recent iPhones, open the photo or screenshot in the Photos app and wait a moment. A small QR or link marker, or a tappable link, may appear on the code. Tap it. If it does not appear, use Google Lens from the Google app.

A clear, well-lit photo taken straight-on works best if the code is on a poster or screen.

Scan a QR Code from Android Quick Settings

On Pixel phones, Android has a QR scanner in Quick Settings.

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings.
2. Tap Scan QR code. If you cannot see it, swipe left or tap the pencil icon to find the tile.
3. Point the scanner at the QR code.

On an iPhone, the matching feature is the Scan Code button in Control Center, described above.

What to Do If a QR Code Will Not Scan

If a QR code will not scan, check these things. The first four come from Google's tips.

• Light and glare: Scan in a well-lit place. Avoid shadows or glare on the code.
• Steady hands: Hold the phone steady so the image is not blurry.
• Clean lens: Wipe a smudged camera lens with a soft cloth.
• Distance: Move closer, but keep the whole code visible on the screen.
• Code condition: A damaged, blurry or low-contrast code may not scan, so also check for smudges or dirt if it is printed.
• Another method: Try Google Lens if the Camera app does not read the code.

Before you open a scanned link, look at the link preview your phone shows. Be careful with links that look unrelated to where you found the code.

Make Your Digital Business Card with BizzAI

Now that you know how to scan a QR code, you can also share one.

BizzAI (bizz.ai.in) is an Indian platform for digital business cards. You create a card from 23 designer templates and share it with one link or a QR code. Each card can show view tracking with 30-day trends, take call-back requests, capture leads and let people download your vCard. You can also add social links.

See how to share your business card via QR code, or try the free URL QR code generator. BizzAI also has free QR code generators for WiFi and WhatsApp. The Free plan gives you 2 cards and 3 templates. The Pro plan is Rs 59 a month for 10 cards, all templates and unlimited history. If you want a physical option, NFC tap cards start at Rs 400.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I scan a QR code on iPhone?

Open the Camera app and hold your iPhone so the QR code appears on the screen. Then tap the link that appears to open the content. You can also use the Scan Code button in Control Center.

How do I scan a QR code on Android?

To scan a QR code on Android, open the Camera app and enable camera scan suggestions in settings. Point the camera at the QR code and tap the link to open the content.

Can I scan a QR code from an image?

On Android, use Google Photos or Google Lens to scan QR codes from images. On iPhone, use the Photos app to scan QR codes from saved images.

How do I scan a QR code from the gallery?

To scan a QR code from a saved photo, on Android, open the image in Google Photos and tap the Lens button. On iPhone, open the photo in the Photos app and wait for the QR code to be detected.

Do I need a special app to scan a QR code?

No. Most phones can scan a QR code with the Camera app. On iPhone, tap the link that appears. On Android, tap the bubble or link. If the Camera app does not read it, use Google Lens.

How do I scan a QR code using Quick Settings?

On a Pixel phone, swipe down from the top to open Quick Settings, tap the Scan QR code tile, and point it at the code. Swipe left or tap the pencil icon if you cannot find the tile. On iPhone, use the Scan Code button in Control Center.

What should I do if a QR code won't scan?

If a QR code won't scan, increase lighting and avoid glare when scanning. Clean the camera lens and ensure the QR code is in full view. Make sure the entire code is inside the camera frame and hold your phone steady.

How do I scan a QR code using Google Lens?

To scan a QR code using Google Lens, open Google Lens and choose the image from the gallery. Google Lens detects the QR code in the image.

How do I scan a QR code on an older phone?

To scan a QR code on an older phone, open the Camera app and point it at the code. If your phone doesn't automatically scan, use Google Lens to scan QR codes.

How do I scan a QR code on WhatsApp images?

To scan a QR code from a WhatsApp image, use the image method. Open the image in the Photos app or Google Photos and use Google Lens to detect and scan the QR code.