How to Scan a QR Code: Quick Guide for Mobile & Desktop

You see a QR code on a poster, a product label, or a restaurant table. You want to scan it. Here is exactly how to do it on every device - fast, without downloading anything.

This is the quick version. If you need in-depth scanning coverage including troubleshooting for unusual scenarios, check our complete scanning guide. If you want to understand what data is stored inside QR codes, read our guide to reading QR codes. This page gets you scanning in under 30 seconds.

The 3-second version: Open your phone camera, point it at the QR code, tap the link that appears. That is it. No app needed on any modern phone.

Scan on iPhone

Time needed: 5 seconds

Open the Camera app
Point at the QR code
Tap the yellow banner that appears

Done. This works on every iPhone running iOS 11 (2017) or later.

Not working? Go to Settings > Camera and toggle on Scan QR Codes. It is on by default, but a software update or restore may have turned it off.

Scan on Android

Time needed: 5 seconds

Open the Camera app
Point at the QR code
Tap the notification that appears

Works on Android 10 and later. On older devices, open Google Lens instead (available in the Google app or as a standalone download).

Scan on Samsung Galaxy

Samsung phones have an extra-fast option:

Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open Quick Settings
Tap the QR Scanner tile
Point at the code

Alternatively, the regular Samsung Camera app reads QR codes the same way as stock Android.

Scan on a Computer

Computers do not have a built-in scanner, but these methods work:

If the QR code is on your screen (in an email, document, or website):

In Chrome: right-click the image and select Search image with Google Lens
In any browser: screenshot the QR code and upload it to an online decoder

If the QR code is on paper in front of you:

Open the Camera app on Windows (if you have a webcam) and point it at the code
On Mac, use iPhone Continuity Camera to scan through your iPhone's camera remotely

Scan from a Photo or Screenshot

Already have the QR code saved as an image? Here is how to decode it:

Device	Method
iPhone (iOS 16+)	Open in Photos, long-press the QR code
Android	Open Google Lens, select image from gallery
PC/Mac	Right-click in Chrome > Google Lens, or upload to zxing.org

This works with screenshots, downloaded images, QR codes in PDFs, and photos of printed codes.

5 Reasons Your QR Code Will Not Scan

If you are stuck, one of these is almost certainly the cause:

1. Too small or too far away. The code needs to be at least 2.5 cm wide for arm's-length scanning. For codes on walls or signs, the rule is: scanning distance divided by 10 equals minimum code width. Learn more in our size and print guide.

2. Bad lighting. Strong shadows, backlighting, or reflections on glossy surfaces confuse the camera. Add light or change your angle.

3. Dirty lens or surface. A smudged camera lens or a dirty QR code surface reduces contrast. Wipe both.

4. Code is damaged. QR codes tolerate some damage thanks to error correction - up to 30% at the highest level. Beyond that, the code is unrecoverable.

5. QR scanning is disabled. On iPhone: Settings > Camera > Scan QR Codes. On Android: check camera settings for a QR toggle. Some third-party camera apps do not support QR scanning at all - switch to the stock camera.

For a full troubleshooting walkthrough, see our QR code not working guide.

Stay Safe When Scanning

QR codes can link to anything - including phishing pages. Follow these rules:

Check the URL shown in the preview banner before tapping. Look for misspelled domains or suspicious-looking links.
Watch for sticker overlays. Scammers place fake QR stickers over legitimate codes in public places. If a code looks like it was stuck on top of another, do not scan it.
Never enter passwords or payment details on a page you reached from an unexpected QR code.
Copy and check. If a URL looks suspicious, copy it and paste it into VirusTotal before opening.

Read our full QR code security guide for more on quishing and how to protect yourself.

Quick Reference Table

Device	Scanner	App needed?
iPhone (iOS 11+)	Native Camera	No
Android (10+)	Native Camera	No
Android (older)	Google Lens	Free download
Samsung Galaxy	Quick Settings QR tile	No
Windows PC	Camera app or Chrome Lens	No
Mac	Continuity Camera or Chrome Lens	No

What to Do After Scanning

After you scan a QR code, your phone takes action based on the data type:

URL - opens your browser
WiFi - asks to join the network
Contact (vCard) - offers to save to your address book
Calendar event - adds to your calendar app
Phone number - offers to call or save
Plain text - displays the text in a notification

If the QR code leads to a website that no longer exists (404 error), the code itself is fine - the destination was removed or changed. Dynamic QR codes solve this problem because the owner can update the link anytime. Learn about dynamic vs static codes.

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Do I need an app to scan QR codes?

In most cases, no. iPhones since iOS 11 and Android since version 10 include native QR reading in the camera. You only need an additional app if your device is very old or if the option is not enabled.

How to scan a QR code from a screenshot?

On iPhone (iOS 16+), open the image in Photos and long-press the QR code. On Android, use Google Lens and import the image. On PC, right-click the image in Chrome and select 'Search with Google Lens'.

Why won't my phone scan the QR code?

The most common causes are: code too small (minimum 2.5cm), poor lighting, dirty camera lens, code damaged more than 30%, or QR scanning disabled in camera settings.

Is it safe to scan an unknown QR code?

A QR code can point to any URL, including malicious pages. Before opening a link, check the URL shown in the notification. Be suspicious of codes stuck over others in public places - this is a scam technique called 'quishing'. When in doubt, do not open the link.

What is a QR reader?

A QR reader is any tool that decodes the information contained in a QR code. It can be your phone's native camera, a dedicated app like Google Lens, or a web service. Modern smartphones already include a built-in reader, so you usually do not need to download anything.

Scan QR Codes on iPhone, Android, and PC