Quick Response (QR) codes have become the standard for bridging the physical and digital worlds. Whether you're trying to view a restaurant menu, connect to a WiFi network, or add a contact via a vCard, knowing how to quickly scan these codes without downloading spammy third-party apps is essential.

How to Scan on iPhone and iPad (iOS)

Apple integrated native QR code scanning directly into the iOS Camera app with iOS 11 back in 2017. If your iPhone is relatively modern, you already have the best scanner available.

1. Open the Camera App: Open your default camera app from the home screen, lock screen, or Control Center.
2. Select the Rear Camera: Ensure you have the standard rear-facing photo mode selected.
3. Point and Steady: Hold your device so that the QR code appears within the viewfinder. You don't need to fill the entire screen, but the code should be fully visible and in focus.
4. Tap the Notification: Once the camera recognizes the code, a yellow pop-up banner or an interactive yellow link icon will appear on or near the code. Tap this notification to perform the action (e.g., open Safari, add a contact, or join WiFi).

How to Scan on Android Devices

The Android ecosystem is diverse, but scanning QR codes has become universally standardized across most manufacturers in recent years.

Method 1: The Native Camera App (Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus)

Most modern Android devices (Android 9/Pie and later) have scanning built directly into their standard camera app.

1. Open your default Camera app.
2. Point it at the QR code and wait a second for it to focus.
3. A pop-up banner or a small icon should appear indicating a recognized link. Tap it to proceed.

Method 2: Google Lens

If your native camera app doesn't automatically detect the code, Google Lens is your best built-in fallback.

1. Open the Google Search app or widget on your home screen.
2. Tap the camera icon (Google Lens) located on the right side of the search bar.
3. Select "Search" from the bottom menu and point your camera at the code.
4. Tap the shutter button or the highlighted link that appears over the code.

Scanning from an Image Saved in Your Gallery

Sometimes someone sends you a screenshot containing a QR code, or you're browsing a site on your phone that displays one. How do you scan a code that's already on your screen?

• On iOS: Open the image in the Photos app. If you have "Live Text" enabled, you will see a small scanning icon in the bottom right corner, or you can simply long-press on the QR code itself to reveal a context menu (Open Link, Copy Link).
• On Android: Open the image in Google Photos. Tap the "Lens" option at the bottom of the screen. Google Lens will analyze the image and highlight the QR code with a clickable link.

Beware of Third-Party Scanner Apps

If you search "QR Scanner" in the App Store or Google Play, you will find hundreds of results. We strongly advise against downloading them.

Many of these third-party apps are riddled with intrusive advertisements, charge unnecessary monthly subscription fees, or, worse, request excessive permissions to track your location and harvest your data. Since native scanning is built into almost every phone sold in the last five years, these apps are entirely obsolete. Only use your native camera or Google Lens.