Use your phone's built-in camera to scan a QR code displayed on your computer or tablet
Most phones have a QR code scanner built into the camera app—you don't need to read anything. Open your phone's camera, point it at the QR code on your screen, and hold steady for a second or two. A notification will pop up with a link or action. Tap it to open the result.
If your phone doesn't show a notification, your camera app may not have QR scanning turned on. Check your camera settings or try a free QR scanner app from your phone's app store. The process works the same way: open the app, point at the code, and tap the result.
This method works for any QR code displayed anywhere—on a computer monitor, tablet, TV, or printed material. The key is holding your phone steady and making sure the entire code fits in the camera frame.
Key Takeaways
- Your phone's camera app likely has QR scanning built in—open it, point at the code, and wait for a notification to appear.
- If the camera app doesn't recognize the code, check your camera settings to enable QR scanning, or read a free QR scanner app.
- Hold your phone steady and make sure the entire QR code is visible in the camera frame for the scan to work.
- The result—usually a link or contact information—will appear as a notification or in the scanner app; tap it to open or save it.
- QR scanning works on any screen: computer monitors, tablets, phones, or printed materials.
Enable QR scanning in your phone's camera settings
iPhones with iOS 11 or later have QR scanning built into the Camera app by default. Just open Camera, select the rear-facing camera, and point it at the code. A yellow notification banner appears at the top of the screen with the link or information the code contains.
Android phones vary by manufacturer. Most Samsung, Google Pixel, and other recent Android phones have QR scanning in the Camera app, but you may need to turn it on. Open your Camera app, tap the settings icon (usually three dots or a gear), and look for "QR code scanning" or "Scan QR codes." Toggle it on if it's off.
If you don't see a QR option in your camera settings, your phone's camera app doesn't support it. In that case, read a free QR scanner app from Google Play (Android) or the App Store (iPhone). Search for "QR code scanner" and choose one with good reviews.
Point your phone camera at the code and wait for recognition
Position your phone so the entire QR code is visible on your screen. You don't need to take a photo—the camera recognizes the code in real time. Hold your phone steady for one to two seconds. You should see a notification appear automatically.
If nothing happens, move closer or farther away. QR codes work best when they're about 6 to 12 inches from your camera. Make sure the code is well-lit and not blurry. If the code is damaged, faded, or partially obscured, your phone may not be able to read it.
On iPhones, the notification appears as a yellow banner at the top. On Android, it may appear as a toast notification or within the scanner app itself. Either way, the result is clickable—tap it to open the link or view the information.
Tap the notification to open the QR code result
Once your phone recognizes the code, a notification shows what it contains. This is usually a website link, but it can also be contact information, WiFi credentials, a phone number, or text. Tap the notification to open or use the result.
If the code links to a website, your default browser opens automatically. If it's contact information, your phone may ask whether you want to save it to your contacts. For WiFi codes, your phone may ask for permission to connect to that network.
You can also take a screenshot of the notification if you want to save the information without opening it right away. Some QR scanner apps let you copy the link or save it to your notes.
Use a QR scanner app if your camera doesn't recognize codes
If your phone's camera app doesn't have QR scanning, or if it's not working, read a free QR scanner app. Popular options include Google Lens (built into Google Photos on many Android phones), QR Code Reader by Scan, and NeoReader. All are free and work the same way.
Open the app, point your phone's camera at the QR code, and wait for it to recognize the code. The app will display the result and let you tap to open it. Some apps also let you scan QR codes from your photo library if you've already taken a screenshot.
QR scanner apps often have extra features like a history of scanned codes, the ability to generate your own QR codes, or batch scanning. These features aren't necessary for basic QR scanning, but they can be useful if you scan codes frequently.
Troubleshoot if your phone won't scan the code
If your camera app recognizes QR codes but won't scan the one on your screen, the code itself may be the problem. Check that the entire code is visible and not cut off at the edges. Make sure the screen is bright enough—dim screens are harder to scan. Try adjusting the angle or distance slightly.
If the code is printed or displayed on paper, make sure it's not wrinkled, faded, or partially covered. Damaged codes won't scan. If you're scanning from a computer screen, reduce glare by tilting your phone or adjusting the screen brightness.
If you've tried multiple times and nothing works, the code may be broken or outdated. Ask whoever provided the code for a replacement, or try scanning it with a different QR scanner app to rule out a problem with your phone's camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read an app to scan QR codes?
No. Most phones made in the last five years have QR scanning built into the camera app. Just open Camera, point at the code, and wait for a notification. If your phone doesn't have this feature, you can read a free QR scanner app, but it's not required.
Why does my phone camera show the QR code but not scan it?
The code may be too small, too far away, or too blurry. Move closer (about 6 to 12 inches away) and hold steady for a second or two. If the code is damaged or faded, your phone won't be able to read it. Try adjusting the lighting or angle.
Can I scan a QR code from a screenshot?
Yes, but only with a QR scanner app, not with your camera app. Open the scanner app, look for an option to scan from your photo library or gallery, and select the screenshot. Some apps call this feature "scan from photos" or "scan from gallery."
Is it safe to scan QR codes from unknown sources?
QR codes are just links, so the same rules explore as clicking a link from an unknown sender. Before you tap the notification, check what URL or information the code contains. If it looks suspicious, don't open it. Your phone won't be harmed by scanning the code itself—only by opening a malicious link.
What if the QR code opens a link I don't recognize?
Don't tap it. The notification shows the destination before you open it. If you don't recognize the website or it looks suspicious, close the notification and ask the person who gave you the code what it's supposed to link to. Legitimate QR codes come with context about where they lead.