On almost every modern phone you scan a QR code with the built-in camera — no separate app required. Open the camera, point it at the code so it’s clearly in frame, wait a moment for the phone to recognise it, and tap the link or banner that appears. That’s the whole process on both iPhone and Android. The rest of this guide covers the small differences and what to do on the rare occasion a code refuses to scan.
How to scan a QR code on iPhone
- Open the built-in Camera app (any mode works).
- Hold the phone steady so the whole code is in view — you don’t need to press the shutter.
- A yellow link banner appears at the top of the screen. Tap it to open the destination.
This works on iOS 11 and later, which covers virtually every iPhone in use. If scanning from the camera ever seems off, check Settings → Camera and make sure “Scan QR Codes” is switched on.
How to scan a QR code on Android
- Open the Camera app and point it at the code. On most recent phones a link pops up to tap.
- If nothing appears, open Google Lens (built into the Camera, the Google app, or Google Photos) and point it at the code.
- Tap the link or the suggested action.
Android varies by manufacturer, but the camera-plus-Lens combination handles QR codes on essentially every current device.
What if your phone is older?
Phones from before about 2017 may not detect codes from the camera. In that case a free QR scanner app from your app store will do the job — but for almost everyone reading this, the camera is enough. Avoid scanner apps stuffed with ads; they’re unnecessary on modern hardware.
When a QR code won’t scan
If a code won’t read, the problem is usually the code or the conditions, not your phone:
- Distance: move closer, or further back — small codes need to be close, large ones a step away.
- Lighting and glare: avoid reflections on glossy or laminated surfaces; add light if it’s dim.
- Focus: hold steady for a second so the camera can lock on.
- Bad print: low contrast, a code that’s too small, or no clear margin around it will defeat any scanner. That’s a printing problem — see QR code best practices.
Is it safe to scan?
Scanning a code only opens a link — it doesn’t install anything by itself. The thing to check is where it takes you: before entering passwords or payment details, glance at the URL in the preview, exactly as you would with any link. Be wary of codes stuck over the top of official ones in public places.
Now make your own
Scanning is the easy half. The useful half is creating a code that does something — a menu, a contact card, a links page. A free static code is fine for a link that never changes; a dynamic one lets you change the destination after printing. You can make either in the builder in under a minute.