How to Scan a QR Code on iPhone or Android

Most modern smartphones have QR code scanning technology built right into their camera. On any iPhone running iOS 11 or later, the built-in Camera app reads QR codes on its own. Open Camera, aim it at the code, and tap the link banner that drops down from the top of the screen. Nothing to download, no third-party scanner, nothing to set up first.

How to scan a QR code on iPhone

On any iPhone running iOS 11 or later, the built-in Camera app reads QR codes on its own. Open Camera, aim it at the code, and tap the link banner that drops down from the top of the screen. Nothing to download, no third-party scanner, nothing to set up first.

1. Open the Camera app from the Home Screen, Lock Screen, or Control Center.
2. Point the rear camera at the QR code, so the whole code sits inside the frame. Don't take a photo; just hold steady.
3. Wait for the notification banner to appear near the top of the screen.
4. Tap the banner to open the link, app, or Wi-Fi prompt

How to scan a QR code on Android

Most Android phones from 2019 onward scan QR codes straight from the camera app or through Google Lens. Open the camera, point it at the code, and tap the link that pops up. On phones without native scanning, open Google Lens, which is built into the Google app and Google Photos, and aim it at the code instead.

1. Open your camera app, or open Google Lens.
2. Frame the QR code fully in the viewfinder.
3. Tap the link, the Lens icon, or the magnifier that appears.
4. Confirm the destination, then open it.

Android hardware varies, so Samsung, Pixel, and OnePlus each handle this a little differently. If your camera does nothing, look for a Lens or "Scan" toggle in the camera modes, or install Google Lens.

How to scan a QR code from a screenshot or photo

You don't need a second device to read a code that's already on your screen. On iPhone, open the screenshot or photo in the Photos app and tap the link that surfaces, or press and hold the code and choose Open Link. On Android, open the image in Google Photos and tap the Lens icon to pull out the code.

This solves the most common headache: a QR code shows up in an email, a text, or a webpage on the same phone you'd normally scan with, and you can't point the camera at your own display. Save it as a screenshot or keep the original image, open it in your gallery, and let the built-in reader do the work.

• iPhone: Photos > open the image > tap the highlighted link, or press and hold the code and choose Open Link.
• Android: Google Photos > open the image > tap the Lens icon at the bottom > tap the detected link.

How to scan a QR code without an app

On any recent phone, you can scan a QR code without installing an app because the camera is the scanner. Third-party scanner apps still exist, but they pile on ads and ask for permissions you don't need. For anything you find in the real world, the native camera or Google Lens is the safer choice.

A separate app only earns a spot in narrow cases: bulk scanning at an event door, reading a damaged code, or logging scans for work. For a menu, a flyer, or a package, the camera is faster and safer, because you get to see the link before you open it.

Static free QR code vs a dynamic Flowcode

A plain QR code from a free tool is static: the destination is locked in the moment you print it, so you can't change it later or see who scanned. A dynamic QR code, like a Flowcode, stores a short link you can redirect anytime and measures every scan. For the person holding the phone the scanning steps are identical; the difference is entirely on the side of whoever made the code.

If you only need a code for a single event flyer, a free QR code generator is plenty. If you're printing on packaging or running a campaign, you'll want to update and get insights from, a dynamic QR code turns a printed QR code from a dead end into a channel you can optimize. For a deeper look, here's the difference between a Flowcode and a plain QR code.

Is scanning a Flowcode safe?

Scanning a Flowcode is completely secure, so don’t worry, Flowcodes can’t make your phone do anything you don’t want it to do!

Look for a legitimate Flowcode with privacy.flowcode.com stamped at the bottom. At that URL, you can find our privacy policy and learn about our commitment to your security.

Get your own QR code

Scanning a QR code comes down to one habit: open the camera, hold steady, read the link before you tap. That holds on every recent iPhone and Android, whether the code sits on a poster or already fills your screen.

Want to try creating a code of your own? Spin a single one up with the free QR code generator or chat with our team if you're looking for a QR code for business.