How to scan a QR code
Quick answer
Open your phone’s camera app, point it at the QR code and hold steady for a second. When a link or notification appears, tap it to open. Most iPhones and Android phones do this without any extra app.
QR codes were invented in 1994 at the Japanese company Denso Wave to track car parts on assembly lines. “QR” stands for Quick Response, and today the fastest way to read one is the camera already on your phone.
How to scan a QR code on iPhone
- Open the Camera app and use the rear camera.
- Point it at the code so it’s fully in the frame.
- Tap the yellow link or notification that appears.
If nothing happens, check that Scan QR Codes is turned on in Settings > Camera. You can also add Code Scanner to Control Center for a dedicated scanner.
How to scan a QR code on Android
On most Android phones from the last several years, the Camera app scans QR codes the same way: point, wait for the link, tap it.
If your camera doesn’t react, try Google Lens, which is built into the Google app and often into the camera itself. Samsung phones can also scan from the quick settings panel, where there’s a Scan QR code button.
How to scan a QR code from a screenshot or photo
Codes inside an image can be scanned too:
- iPhone: Open the image in Photos. Recent iOS versions detect the code; tap the QR icon or press and hold the code.
- Android: Open the image in Google Photos and tap Lens.
- Computer: In Chrome, right-click the image and choose Search with Google Lens.
Need to grab a code from your PC screen first? Here’s how to screenshot on Windows.
How to scan a QR code on a laptop or PC
The built-in Windows Camera app can read QR codes using your webcam. Open Camera, switch to the barcode or QR mode if your version shows one, and hold the code up to the camera. A link will appear that you can click.
Check before you tap
A quick rule: if a QR code asks you to log in, pay or download an app, type the website address yourself instead.
Sources
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