How to scan a QR code
No app required. Every modern iPhone and Android phone scans QR codes with the camera it already has. Here's how — plus what to do when nothing happens.
On iPhone
Open the Camera app and point it at the code — hold steady for a second. A yellow notification appears; tap it. That's it. This works on iOS 11 and later, so unless your phone is ancient, you're covered.
Two shortcuts worth knowing: open Control Center and tap the QR scanner icon (add it via Settings → Control Center if it's missing), or long-press the Camera icon on the lock screen. If the code is in a photo or screenshot, open it in the Photos app and long-press the code — iOS detects it right in the image.
On Android
Most Android phones scan from the built-in camera too: point, wait for the prompt, tap. On Pixel and many others, Google Lens in the camera or Google app handles it. Samsung phones have a dedicated scanner in the Quick Settings panel — swipe down and look for "Scan QR code". And like iPhone, you can open a saved image in Google Photos and tap the Lens button.
When nothing happens
Nine times out of ten it's the code, not your phone: too small, low contrast, damaged, or printed on a curve. There's a full checklist in why your QR code won't scan. Dirty camera lens is the classic overlooked one — wipe it and try again.
A 3-second safety habit
Your phone shows a preview of the link before opening it. Glance at it. If a code on a lamppost promises a parking meter but the URL looks like a random string of characters, don't tap — stickers over real codes are a known scam. Codes you generate yourself with FreeQrly are static and contain exactly what you typed, nothing hidden.
Try it yourself — free, no sign-up
Everything in this article works in the FreeQrly studio right now. Static codes, eight content types, PNG and SVG export.
Open the studioGood to know
Do I need an app to scan QR codes?
No. iPhones (iOS 11+) and virtually all Android phones scan QR codes with the built-in camera. Third-party scanner apps are unnecessary and often full of ads.
How do I scan a QR code from a screenshot?
On iPhone, open the screenshot in Photos and long-press the code. On Android, open it in Google Photos and tap the Lens button.
Why won't my camera scan the QR code?
Usually the code is too small, low contrast, damaged, or there's no quiet zone around it. Wipe your lens, move closer, and see the full fix list in our troubleshooting guide.