How to Scan a QR Code on Android

Android devices have supported native QR code scanning since Android 8.0 (Oreo), released in 2017. However, the scanning method varies significantly between manufacturers. Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and other brands each implement QR scanning differently in their camera apps. This guide covers every major Android brand with specific step-by-step instructions, plus universal methods that work on any Android device regardless of manufacturer.

The Quick Answer

Open your camera app and point it at a QR code. On most Android phones running Android 9 or later, the camera detects QR codes automatically and shows a link overlay or notification. If your camera doesn’t detect QR codes natively, open Google Lens (available on virtually all Android devices) and point it at the code.

Method 1: Native Camera App (Varies by Brand)

Samsung Galaxy (One UI)

Samsung phones have one of the most reliable built-in QR scanners:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Point it at a QR code. A popup appears at the bottom of the screen with the decoded URL.
3. Tap the popup to open the link.

If nothing happens: Go to Camera Settings (gear icon) and enable Scan QR codes. On older Samsung phones (before One UI 2.0), this toggle may be under Scene Optimizer.

Quick Settings shortcut: Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification shade. Swipe down again to expand Quick Settings. Tap the Scan QR code tile. If not visible, tap the pencil/edit icon to add it.

Google Pixel

Pixel phones integrate QR scanning through the camera and Google Lens:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Point it at a QR code. A chip appears at the bottom with the URL.
3. Tap the chip to open the link.

Alternative via Google Lens: Tap the Lens icon in the camera app (or in the Google search bar widget on the home screen) and point at the QR code.

OnePlus

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Point at the QR code. The decoded content appears as an overlay.
3. Tap to open.

If not working: Go to Settings > System apps > Camera and enable Scan QR codes.

Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO

Xiaomi devices have a dedicated scanner app:

1. Open the Scanner app from the app drawer (it may also be in the Tools folder).
2. Point at the QR code.
3. The result displays immediately.

Alternatively, the standard Camera app also detects QR codes when the AI scene detection feature is enabled.

Other Brands (Motorola, LG, Sony, etc.)

Most brands running stock or near-stock Android support QR scanning through the camera app on Android 9+. Open the camera, point at the code, and look for a popup, chip, or notification. If your camera doesn’t support it natively, use Google Lens (Method 2).

Method 2: Google Lens (Universal)

Google Lens works on virtually every Android device and is the most reliable universal QR scanning method.

From the Google app:

1. Open the Google app (the search app, not Chrome).
2. Tap the Lens icon (camera icon) in the search bar.
3. Point your camera at the QR code or select an image from your gallery.
4. Lens identifies the QR code and shows the decoded content.

From Google Photos:

1. Open a photo containing a QR code in Google Photos.
2. Tap the Lens icon at the bottom of the screen.
3. Lens reads the QR code and displays the result.

This method is especially useful for scanning QR codes from saved screenshots, downloaded images, or photos taken earlier.

From Chrome browser:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Tap the address bar and then the Lens icon.
3. You can scan QR codes visible on your screen or through the camera.

Method 3: Quick Settings Tile

Many Android devices allow you to add a QR scanner tile to Quick Settings for one-tap access:

1. Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to expand Quick Settings.
2. Tap the pencil/edit icon to customize tiles.
3. Find and drag the QR Code Scanner tile into your active tiles.
4. Now you can scan by swiping down and tapping that tile.

This is available on Samsung (One UI), stock Android 13+, and many other skins.

Scanning QR Codes from Images on Android

You don’t need a physical QR code in front of you. Android can scan QR codes from any image:

From Google Photos: Open the image in Google Photos and tap the Lens icon. Google Lens reads QR codes from any image, including screenshots, downloaded files, and photos taken of screens.

From messaging apps: Save the QR code image from WhatsApp, Telegram, or Messages. Open it in Google Photos and use Lens.

Troubleshooting QR Scanning on Android

Camera doesn’t detect QR codes:

• Check camera settings for a “Scan QR codes” toggle and enable it
• Ensure your camera app is updated to the latest version
• Try Google Lens as an alternative

Blurry or unreadable codes:

• Clean your camera lens with a soft cloth
• Move to a well-lit area and avoid shadows on the QR code
• Adjust distance: 4-8 inches for standard-size codes
• Hold the phone steady for at least 2 seconds

WiFi QR code doesn’t connect:

• Ensure WiFi is enabled on your device
• Android 10+ supports automatic WiFi connection from QR codes
• Older Android versions may show the password but require manual connection

Security Precautions

Preview the URL. Most Android QR scanners show the destination URL before opening it. Read the domain name carefully and check for misspellings.

Check for tampering. Physical QR codes in public places can be covered with malicious sticker codes. Look for signs of overlays.

Use Google Safe Browsing. Chrome automatically checks URLs against Google’s database of dangerous sites. If you see a red warning screen after scanning, don’t proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all Android phones have a built-in QR scanner?

Phones running Android 9 or later with Google Play Services generally support QR scanning through the camera app or Google Lens. The exact implementation varies by manufacturer. Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, and Xiaomi all have native camera scanning. For older phones or budget devices without camera scanning, Google Lens is available as a free download and works on Android 6+.

How do I enable QR scanning in my Samsung camera?

Open the Camera app, tap the gear icon for Settings, and look for the “Scan QR codes” toggle. Enable it. On Samsung phones with One UI 2.0 or later, this toggle is near the top of camera settings. On older models, check under “Scene Optimizer” or “Intelligent features.” You can also add a QR scanner tile to Quick Settings by editing your tile layout.

Can I scan a QR code from a screenshot on Android?

Yes. Open the screenshot in Google Photos and tap the Lens icon at the bottom. Google Lens reads QR codes from any image, including screenshots, downloaded files, and photos taken of screens. This works on all Android devices with Google Photos installed.

Why does my Android camera not recognize QR codes?

Common causes include the QR scan feature being disabled in camera settings, running an outdated camera app version, poor lighting conditions, a dirty camera lens, or being too close or too far from the code. Try updating your camera app, cleaning the lens, and improving lighting. If your camera app doesn’t support QR scanning at all, use Google Lens instead.