How to Scan a QR Code on iPhone

Every iPhone sold since 2017 can scan QR codes without downloading a single app. Apple baked QR code recognition directly into the Camera app starting with iOS 11, which means over a billion iPhones in active use already have this capability. Despite that, many iPhone owners still download third-party scanner apps because they never realized the feature exists. This guide walks through every method available on iPhone, from the dead-simple camera approach to the lesser-known Code Scanner app, Live Text scanning from screenshots, and troubleshooting steps when things go wrong.

The Quick Answer

Open your iPhone Camera app, point it at a QR code, and tap the yellow notification banner that appears at the top of the screen. That is the entire process on any iPhone running iOS 11 or later (iPhone 6s and newer).

If nothing happens when you point your camera at a QR code, go to Settings > Camera and make sure Scan QR Codes is toggled on. This toggle is enabled by default, but it sometimes gets turned off during settings resets or device transfers.

Method 1: The Built-In Camera App

This is the fastest and most common way to scan a QR code on iPhone.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Open the Camera app from your home screen or lock screen.
2. Select the rear-facing camera (the back camera, not selfie mode).
3. Hold your iPhone so the QR code appears within the camera viewfinder. You don’t need to press the shutter button.
4. A yellow notification banner will appear at the top of the screen showing the URL or action encoded in the QR code.
5. Tap the banner to open the link in Safari or trigger the encoded action (join WiFi, add contact, etc.).

Important details:

• The camera needs adequate lighting. QR codes printed on dark backgrounds in dimly lit rooms may not register immediately.
• Hold the phone steady. The scanner needs about one second to detect and decode the pattern.
• Distance matters. For a standard-sized QR code (about 1 inch square), hold your phone 4-8 inches away. For larger QR codes on posters or billboards, stand back proportionally.
• The camera app doesn’t save a history of scanned codes. If you need the URL later, copy it or bookmark it in Safari immediately.

Method 2: The Code Scanner App (Control Center)

Apple includes a dedicated Code Scanner app that many users never discover. It works slightly differently from the camera method and has one key advantage: it opens scanned URLs inside the app itself rather than jumping to Safari.

How to add Code Scanner to Control Center:

1. Open Settings > Control Center.
2. Scroll down to the “More Controls” section.
3. Tap the green + button next to Code Scanner.
4. It now appears in your Control Center.

How to use it:

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (iPhone X and later) or swipe up from the bottom (iPhone 8 and earlier) to open Control Center.
2. Tap the Code Scanner icon (it looks like a QR code inside a viewfinder).
3. Point your camera at the QR code.
4. The result opens inside an in-app browser, keeping you within the Code Scanner instead of switching to Safari.

When to use Code Scanner instead of Camera:

• When you want to preview a URL without leaving your current app.
• When you’re scanning multiple codes in a row (restaurants, museum exhibits, warehouse labels) and want to stay in scanning mode.
• When the Camera app is being finicky about detecting codes for some reason.

Method 3: Scanning QR Codes from Screenshots and Photos

Starting with iOS 15, Apple added Live Text recognition that can read QR codes from existing images in your Photos app. This is useful when someone texts you a QR code image or you take a screenshot of one from a website.

How to scan a QR code from a saved image:

1. Open the Photos app and find the image containing the QR code.
2. Long-press on the QR code within the image. A popup menu appears with the URL or action.
3. Tap Open in Safari (or the relevant action, such as “Join Network” for WiFi codes).

If long-pressing doesn’t work, your iPhone may need an update. Live Text requires iOS 15 or later and an iPhone XS or newer (A12 Bionic chip minimum).

Alternative method using the camera:

1. Display the QR code image on another screen (computer monitor, tablet, or another phone).
2. Point your iPhone camera at that screen.
3. The Camera app treats it the same as a physical QR code and shows the notification banner.

Method 4: Using Safari Built-In Scanner

Safari in iOS 16 and later can detect QR codes visible on web pages. If you encounter a QR code embedded in a webpage while browsing on your iPhone:

1. Long-press on the QR code image in Safari.
2. If Safari recognizes it as a QR code, the context menu will show an Open option with the decoded URL.
3. Tap to go to the encoded destination.

This eliminates the need to screenshot a QR code from a website and then scan the screenshot with your camera.

Differences Across iOS Versions

Not all scanning features are available on every iOS version. Here is a breakdown:

iOS 11-14 (iPhone 6s through iPhone 12 era):

• Camera app scanning works. Point and tap the notification.
• Code Scanner available in Control Center.
• No Live Text scanning from photos.

iOS 15-16 (iPhone XS and later):

• All Camera and Code Scanner features.
• Live Text added: scan QR codes from saved photos by long-pressing.
• Safari can detect QR codes on web pages.

iOS 17-18 (iPhone XS and later):

• All previous features.
• Improved low-light scanning performance.
• Faster QR code detection (reduced scan time).
• Enhanced security warnings for suspicious URLs.

Legacy devices (iPhone 6 and older):

• These devices can’t update beyond iOS 12. Camera scanning works, but Live Text and Safari QR detection aren’t available. Third-party apps like QR Reader for iPhone fill the gap.

Troubleshooting: QR Code Not Scanning

If your iPhone camera isn’t detecting QR codes, work through these fixes in order:

1. Check the toggle. Go to Settings > Camera and verify that Scan QR Codes is turned on. This is the most common fix.

2. Clean your camera lens. Smudges and fingerprints reduce the camera ability to detect the fine patterns in QR codes. Wipe the lens with a microfiber cloth.

3. Improve lighting. QR codes need decent contrast to scan. Move to a brighter area or turn on your flashlight by tapping the lightning bolt icon in the Camera app.

4. Adjust your distance. If you’re too close, the camera can’t focus. If you’re too far, the QR code is too small to decode. The sweet spot for a 1-inch QR code is about 6 inches away.

5. Check for damage. If the QR code is scratched, stained, or partially covered, it may not have enough intact data modules for the error correction algorithm to work. QR codes can tolerate up to 30% damage at the highest error correction level, but codes with lower correction levels fail sooner.

6. Restart the Camera app. Force-close the Camera app by swiping it away in the app switcher, then reopen it. This clears temporary glitches.

7. Restart your iPhone. A full restart resolves rare scanning bugs caused by background processes interfering with camera access.

8. Update iOS. Apple has improved QR scanning performance in every major iOS release. Running the latest version ensures you benefit from these improvements.

Security Tips for Scanning QR Codes

Not every QR code is trustworthy. Before tapping the notification banner, take a moment to evaluate the URL.

Read the domain name. Your iPhone shows a preview of the URL in the notification banner. Check for misspellings (amaz0n.com instead of amazon.com) or unfamiliar domains.

Watch for sticker overlays. Scammers place fake QR code stickers over legitimate ones on parking meters, restaurant tables, and public kiosks. Look for signs of tampering like raised sticker edges or misalignment.

Avoid entering credentials. If a scanned QR code takes you to a login page, go to that site manually through Safari instead. Legitimate services rarely require you to log in through a QR code redirect.

Check for HTTPS. If the URL in the notification starts with “http://” instead of “https://”, the connection isn’t encrypted. Avoid entering any personal information on unencrypted pages.

When to Use a Browser-Based Scanner Instead

Your iPhone camera handles most QR code scanning needs perfectly. However, there are situations where a browser-based scanning tool is more practical:

• Scanning from a file. If you received a QR code as a PDF attachment or downloaded image, uploading it to a browser-based scanner can be faster than trying to display it on another screen and point your camera at it.
• Batch scanning. If you need to decode multiple QR codes from a document, a browser tool lets you upload and process them without repeatedly repositioning your camera.
• Decoding without opening. Browser-based scanners show you the raw encoded data without automatically opening the URL, giving you a chance to inspect the destination first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to download an app to scan QR codes on iPhone?

No. Every iPhone running iOS 11 or later (released September 2017) scans QR codes directly through the built-in Camera app. Simply point your camera at the code and tap the notification banner that appears. No app download, no setup, no account required. The only scenario where you might want a third-party app is if you own an iPhone 6 or older and can’t update beyond iOS 10, but those devices are rarely in active use today.

Why is my iPhone camera not detecting QR codes?

The most common cause is the scan toggle being turned off. Go to Settings > Camera and make sure Scan QR Codes is enabled. If it’s already on, check your camera lens for smudges, ensure adequate lighting, and try adjusting your distance from the code. Holding the phone too close prevents the camera from focusing, while holding it too far makes the code too small to decode. If none of these steps work, restart your iPhone and update to the latest iOS version.

Can I scan a QR code from a screenshot or photo on my iPhone?

Yes, if your iPhone runs iOS 15 or later and has an A12 Bionic chip or newer (iPhone XS and later models). Open the image in the Photos app and long-press on the QR code. A popup menu will appear with the decoded URL or action. If your device doesn’t support Live Text, you can display the screenshot on another screen and point your iPhone camera at it as a workaround.

How do I scan a QR code that appears on my iPhone screen itself?

If someone texts you a QR code or you see one on a website while browsing on your iPhone, you can’t point your own camera at your own screen. Instead, use Live Text: save the image to Photos, open it, and long-press the QR code. On iOS 16 and later, you can also long-press QR code images directly in Safari to decode them without saving the image first.