How to scan a QR code on any device

iPhone and iPad

Open Camera, point at the code, and tap the banner that appears. Works from iOS 11 onward.

To scan a code already on your phone — a screenshot, a code in an email:

1. Open the image in Photos.
2. Tap the Live Text icon (the square with lines) or long-press the code.
3. Tap the link that appears.

You can also add a Code Scanner button to Control Centre via Settings → Control Centre.

Android

Open the Camera app and point at the code; most launchers show a banner. If nothing appears, open Google Lens — in the camera app, the search bar, or the Assistant — and point it at the code.

For a saved image, open it in Google Photos and tap the Lens icon.

Windows, macOS and Linux

There is no built-in QR scanner in any desktop operating system. Options, in order of preference:

1. A browser-based scanner. Upload a screenshot or use the webcam. Our scanner runs entirely in the browser — the image is never uploaded, and it shows the decoded text rather than following the link, which is what you want for anything suspicious.
2. Point your phone at the screen. Works, but screens have glare and refresh artefacts; raise the brightness and hold the phone square to the display.

Do not install a desktop QR app for a one-off scan. Most are ad-supported and several exfiltrate what they decode.

Scanning a code on the same phone that is displaying it

You cannot point the camera at its own screen. Instead:

• Screenshot it, then use Live Text (iOS) or Lens (Android) on the screenshot.
• Long-press the image in some apps, which offers to open the encoded link directly.

When it will not scan

In order of likelihood: too far away for the code's size, glare on a glossy surface, poor light causing motion blur, a steep angle, or a dirty camera lens. Move closer, tilt to kill the reflection, and wipe the lens.

If the code is on a screen, raise the display's brightness — a dim screen gives the camera too little contrast.

FAQ

Do I need an app to scan a QR code?

No. Every current iPhone and Android phone scans QR codes from the built-in camera app. Third-party scanner apps are unnecessary and often ad-supported.

How do I scan a QR code from a screenshot?

On iOS, open the image in Photos and use Live Text or long-press the code. On Android, open it in Google Photos and tap the Lens icon.

How do I scan a QR code on a computer?

Use a browser-based scanner with your webcam or an uploaded screenshot. Ours runs entirely in the browser and shows the decoded text rather than opening the link.

Can I scan a QR code shown on my own phone?

Not with the camera. Take a screenshot and use Live Text or Google Lens on the image instead.