A QR code should open in seconds, but the right scanner changes once the code is on a screenshot, a laptop screen, or an account setup page. Use the built-in camera first, then switch to the saved-image, browser, or setup-specific scanner that matches your device.
Use these current vendor-supported ways to scan QR codes on phones, tablets, computers, and sign-in screens.
1. Start with Camera on iPhone or iPad
On iPhone and iPad, the built-in Camera app is the cleanest path for a code printed on paper, shown on another screen, or displayed in front of you.
Open Camera from the Home Screen, Lock Screen, Control Center, or Camera Control on supported iPhone models.
Hold the device so the full QR code appears in the camera view.
Tap the detected link to open the website, app, or content.
For a dedicated scanner, open Control Center and tap Scan Code. To add that control, open Control Center, touch and hold the background, tap Add a Control, choose Scan Code, then tap anywhere on the screen to return.
2. Open Android's built-in QR scanner
Android scanning depends on the camera app your phone uses, so pick the path that matches the device in your hand.
Pixel Camera Open Camera, point it at the QR code, and keep the entire code on screen.
To turn recognition on, tap Settings, tap More settings, then switch on Camera scan suggestions.
Pixel Quick Settings Swipe down from the top of the screen, tap Scan QR code, and point the scanner at the code.
If the tile is missing, swipe left for more buttons or tap the pencil icon to add it.
Camera from Google Open Camera from Google, tap QR, and point the camera at the code.
In default photo mode, point at the code and tap the banner that appears.
Samsung Galaxy Swipe down with two fingers, tap Scan QR code, and focus on the code.
From the camera, open Camera, choose PHOTO, and aim at the code.
When Samsung Camera does not scan, open Camera, tap Settings, then turn on Scan QR codes.
3. Read a QR code from a screenshot
A QR code saved on the same device needs an image-based scanner, not a second phone.
On iPhone or iPad, open Photos, tap Collections, scroll to Utilities, then open the QR-code collection to find images that contain codes.
For supported Live Text content, open the image, paused video frame, Safari image, Camera view, or Quick Look item, then tap the detected website or quick action.
On Samsung Galaxy, open the Scan QR code window from Quick settings, tap the Gallery button, and choose the saved QR-code image.
In Google Photos, open the photo, tap More, then tap Google Lens.
4. Switch to Google Lens or Chrome
Google Lens is the best official fallback when the code sits inside an image, Chrome tab, or saved screenshot.
- 1.Open the Google app or Chrome.
- 2.Tap Google Lens in the search bar.
- 3.Point the camera at the QR code, or select a saved screenshot or image.
- 4.Tap the detected result or link.
In Chrome on Android, open a new tab, tap Google Lens in the search bar, tap Search with your camera, position the QR code in the box, then tap the link that appears.
In Chrome on iPhone, open a new tab, tap Google Lens in the search bar, position the QR code or barcode in the highlighted box, then tap the link that appears.
On desktop Chrome, right-click a QR-code image on a webpage and select Search with Google Lens.
5. Scan from Windows or Chromebook
Windows 11 and ChromeOS both scan QR codes from their system Camera apps.
Windows 11 Open Camera, select the Barcode button on the right side, place the QR code or barcode in front of the camera, then select the website link that appears at the bottom of the app.
Chromebook Open Camera, select Scan, choose QR code, position the code in the viewfinder, then tap the recognized URL, text, or Wi-Fi prompt.
ChromeOS also recognizes QR codes directly from the Camera viewfinder.
For a Wi-Fi QR code on Windows 11, open Camera, point it at the network code, and use the connection prompt.
6. Handle QR code images on a Mac
Apple's QR-specific Mac coverage is narrower than it looks: Photos gathers images that contain QR codes under Utilities, and passkey sign-ins use a code you scan with an iPhone or iPad.
Photos Open Photos, click a collection below Utilities in the sidebar, and open the QR-code image.
If the collections are hidden, hold the pointer over Utilities and click the disclosure arrow.
Photos Live Text Open a photo, position the pointer over recognized text, Control-click the selection, then choose the available action, such as opening a website.
Preview Open the image in Preview, hold the pointer over recognized text, then use the available Live Text action.
Safari On a webpage image, use Live Text actions on recognized website or text content.
Live Text in Photos, Preview, and Safari acts on visible text and website addresses inside an image, not on the QR code itself.
For passkey sign-ins shown on a Mac, choose the option to sign in with a passkey using another device, scan the QR code with an iPhone or iPad, then verify with Face ID.
7. Set up Wi-Fi, eSIMs, and authenticator codes
Some QR codes belong inside a setup screen. Use the scanner built into that screen so the device saves the result in the right place.
Samsung Wi-Fi Go to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi, then tap the QR code icon to scan a Wi-Fi network code.
Samsung eSIM Go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM > Scan QR code, scan the carrier code, then restart the device to apply the eSIM profile.
Chromebook eSIM You need a Chromebook with eSIM capability or a SIM slot, ChromeOS version 92 or later, and a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection to add cellular.
Select the time, open Settings, confirm Mobile data is on, select Mobile data, choose Add cellular, select Manually if you are asked about automatically scanning for available eSIM profiles, then choose Use the camera to scan QR code when the QR screen appears.
Microsoft Authenticator Update to the latest version of Authenticator first, because Microsoft now requires it to add an account.
Open Authenticator on your phone, select the plus icon, select Add account if it appears, choose the account type, then tap Scan a QR Code.
Apple Passwords on iPhone Two separate paths.
For a QR code shown on the website, touch and hold it and choose Add Verification in Passwords.
For a setup key, open Passwords, tap All, tap the account, tap Edit, tap Set Up Code, enter the setup key, then tap Use Setup Key.
iCloud Passwords on Windows Set up iCloud Passwords in iCloud for Windows and turn on the iCloud Passwords browser extension first, or the command will not appear.
Then, in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, right-click a two-factor setup QR code and click Set Up Verification Code.
In the iCloud Passwords window, sign in if asked, choose the account for that website, then click Add Verification Code.
8. Skip outdated QR scanner advice
Older guides point to Samsung Internet's in-browser QR reader or Microsoft Lens QR Code mode. Use the current Samsung paths instead: Quick settings or Camera.
Microsoft Lens is retired on iOS and Android. Microsoft retired the app starting January 9, 2026, removed it from app stores on February 9, 2026, and ended new scans after March 9, 2026.
For everyday QR codes, use Camera, Scan QR code, Google Lens, Chrome Lens, or the scanner inside the setup screen that created the QR code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I scan a QR code without downloading an app?
Yes. Use Camera on iPhone or iPad, Camera or Scan QR code on Pixel and Samsung Galaxy, Barcode mode in Windows 11 Camera, or Scan QR code in the Chromebook Camera app.
How do I scan a QR code that is on my own phone screen?
Use a saved-image scanner. On iPhone or iPad, use Photos Utilities or Live Text. On Samsung Galaxy, open Scan QR code from Quick settings and choose Gallery. In Google Photos, open the image and use Google Lens.
Why will my phone not scan the QR code?
Keep the entire QR code inside the viewfinder. On Pixel, turn on Camera scan suggestions. On Samsung Galaxy, use Camera PHOTO mode and turn on Scan QR codes in Camera settings.
Can a Mac scan a QR code with its camera?
Apple documents QR-specific Mac handling through saved images in the Photos Utilities collections and through passkey QR codes scanned with an iPhone or iPad. Live Text in Photos, Preview, and Safari acts on visible text and website addresses in an image, not on the QR code itself. Use iPhone or iPad Camera for live QR scanning.
