To scan a QR code, open your phone's camera app and point it at the code. When the phone recognizes it, a link or banner appears on screen — tap it to open the website, Wi-Fi network, contact card or whatever the code holds. That works on iPhone and on almost every recent Android phone, with no extra app. Below: the quick version for each device, what to do when the camera won't cooperate, and how to scan a code from a screenshot or on a computer.
How to scan a QR code with your phone (3 steps)
- Open the camera in normal photo mode.
- Frame the code so the whole square, including the three corner squares, is on screen. Hold steady about 15–30 cm (6–12 in) away; you don't need to press the shutter.
- Tap the link that appears. Check the web address before you open it.
Scan a QR code on any device
iPhone and iPad
Use the Camera app, or the Code Scanner in Control Center (add the Scan Code control if it isn't there). On newer iPhones you can even set the Camera Control button to open the Code Scanner. Full steps and fixes: how to scan a QR code on iPhone.
Android (Samsung, Pixel, Motorola and others)
Most Android camera apps read QR codes directly. If yours doesn't, use the Scan QR code tile in Quick Settings or Google Lens. Step-by-step for each brand: how to scan a QR code on Android.
Laptop or computer (Windows, Mac, Chromebook)
Chromebooks have a QR scanner in the Camera app. On Windows and Mac the most reliable route is Google Lens in Chrome for a QR code image — or simply scanning the screen with your phone. Details: how to scan a QR code on a computer.
From a screenshot or picture
Got the code in a screenshot, a photo or an email? You can read it straight from the image — no second phone needed: how to scan a QR code from a screenshot or picture.
Build yours in the editor → capyqr.com
Do you need a QR scanner app?
Rarely. Built-in cameras on iPhone and most Android phones handle QR codes, and Google Lens covers the rest for free. Third-party scanner apps mostly add a scan history or batch scanning — and some free ones are packed with ads or ask for permissions they don't need. If you do install one, pick a well-known app from the official store and check which permissions it wants.
What happens when you scan a QR code?
A QR code is just data in a square: usually a web address, sometimes Wi-Fi login details, a contact card, a phone number, a text message or a location. Your phone reads that data and offers the matching action — open the page, join the network, save the contact. Nothing runs on its own: you always tap to confirm. Some codes are dynamic, meaning they open a short link that forwards you to the final page and counts the scan.
QR code won't scan? Quick fixes
- Get closer or farther. Small codes need you close; big posters scan from a step back. The whole code must fit on screen.
- Clean the lens and add light. Smudges and dim rooms are the most common culprits.
- Use photo mode. Video, portrait and other modes often don't detect codes.
- Check the camera settings. Some phones let you switch QR scanning off — turn it back on, or use Google Lens or Control Center instead.
- Try another app. If the camera still won't read it, Google Lens often will. If nothing reads it, the code itself may be the problem — see why a QR code won't scan.
Scan safely
Before you tap, look at the address in the preview. Be wary of codes stuck over other stickers, on parking meters or payment terminals, and of codes in unexpected emails or texts — never enter passwords or card details on a page you reached that way. More in QR code scams.
Making a QR code instead?
If you're on the other side — you need people to scan your code — make it with the free QR code generator, keep dark dots on a light background, and test it with two different phones before you print.
Frequently asked questions
- How do you scan a QR code?
- Open your phone's camera app, point it at the QR code so the whole square is on screen, and tap the link or banner that pops up. Most iPhones and Android phones do this without any extra app.
- Do I need an app to scan a QR code?
- Usually not. The built-in camera reads QR codes on iPhones and on most Android phones from the last several years. If yours doesn't, Google Lens (in the Google app) or your phone's quick-settings scanner does the same job for free.
- How do I scan a QR code that's on my own phone screen?
- Take a screenshot, then open it in Photos (iPhone) or Google Photos with Lens (Android) — both can read the code from the image. Our screenshot guide has the exact steps for each phone and computer.
- Can I scan a QR code with my laptop?
- Yes, with a few caveats: Chromebooks have a QR scanner in the Camera app, some Windows 11 builds have a barcode mode in the Camera app, and on any computer you can read a QR code image with Google Lens in Chrome. Macs have no built-in live-camera scanner.
- Why won't my phone scan a QR code?
- The usual reasons: the code is too small, blurry or partly cut off, there's too little contrast, the camera isn't in photo mode, or QR scanning is turned off in the camera settings. Move closer, clean the lens, and make sure the whole code — including the blank margin around it — is in view.
- Is it safe to scan any QR code?
- Scanning only reads the code — nothing happens until you open the link. Check the address in the preview before you tap, and be careful with codes stuck on top of other signs, parking meters or payment terminals, since that's how QR scams usually work.
Bottom line: open the camera, point, tap the link. If that doesn't work, Google Lens or your phone's quick-settings scanner almost always will.