How to Scan WiFi QR Codes

WiFi QR codes encode your network name, password, and security type into a scannable pattern. When a guest scans the code, their phone automatically connects to your WiFi without them ever seeing or typing the password. Airbnb hosts, coffee shops, offices, and hotels have adopted WiFi QR codes because they eliminate the awkward process of spelling out long passwords, especially when the password contains mixed case, numbers, and special characters. This guide explains what WiFi QR codes encode, how to scan them on every platform, how to create your own, and the security implications you should consider before sharing your network credentials this way.

The Quick Answer

To scan a WiFi QR code: Open your phone’s camera app and point it at the QR code. On iPhone (iOS 11+), tap the notification banner and confirm “Join Network.” On Android (10+), the WiFi credentials are applied automatically. For older devices, use a QR scanner app that supports WiFi auto-join.

To create a WiFi QR code: Use our free QR code generator, select “WiFi Network” as the type, enter your SSID, password, and security type (usually WPA/WPA2), then download the QR code.

What WiFi QR Codes Encode

A WiFi QR code contains a specially formatted text string that smartphones recognize as network credentials:

WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyNetworkName;P:MySecurePassword123;;

The three required fields:

• T (Type): The security protocol. Values are WPA (for WPA/WPA2/WPA3), WEP (older, insecure), or nopass (open network)
• S (SSID): The network name exactly as it appears in WiFi settings. Case-sensitive
• P (Password): The network password. Blank for open networks

When a device scans this string, it recognizes the WIFI: prefix and parses the parameters. The phone then prompts the user to join the network using these credentials without requiring manual password entry.

How to Scan WiFi QR Codes on iPhone

Requirements: iPhone running iOS 11 or later (all iPhones from 2017 onward).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Point it at the WiFi QR code.
3. A notification banner appears: “Join ‘NetworkName’ network?”
4. Tap the banner.
5. Tap Join on the confirmation dialog.
6. Your iPhone connects to the WiFi network.

Using the Code Scanner app: Open Control Center, tap the Code Scanner icon, and point at the QR code. The WiFi join prompt appears the same way.

From a screenshot: If someone texts you a WiFi QR code image, open it in Photos, long-press the QR code (requires iOS 15+), and select “Join Network.”

Troubleshooting:

• If the camera doesn’t detect the code, ensure “Scan QR Codes” is enabled in Settings > Camera
• If the join prompt doesn’t appear, the QR code may be formatted incorrectly. Check that the SSID matches your network exactly
• If connection fails after joining, verify the password in the QR code matches the actual network password

How to Scan WiFi QR Codes on Android

Requirements: Android 10 or later for automatic WiFi connection. Earlier versions decode the QR code but may require manual password entry.

Step-by-step (Android 10+):

1. Open the Camera app (or Google Lens).
2. Point it at the WiFi QR code.
3. A popup appears with the network name.
4. Tap Connect or Join.
5. Your phone connects automatically.

Samsung-specific method:

1. Go to Settings > Connections > WiFi.
2. Tap the QR code icon next to “Add network.”
3. Scan the WiFi QR code.
4. The network is added and connected immediately.

Android’s built-in WiFi sharing: Android 10+ allows you to share your own WiFi credentials as a QR code:

1. Go to Settings > WiFi.
2. Tap the network you are connected to.
3. Tap Share (or the QR code icon).
4. A QR code appears that other devices can scan to join.

This is useful for sharing your home WiFi with guests without using our generator (though the generator gives you a printable, saveable QR code).

Where to Display WiFi QR Codes

Best placements for maximum convenience:

• Airbnb/vacation rentals: Framed on the wall near the entrance or on the refrigerator
• Cafes and restaurants: On table tents, menu cards, or near the cash register
• Offices: In the reception area, conference rooms, and common spaces
• Hotels: On the desk in each room or on the welcome card
• Home: On the fridge, near the router, or on a small card in the guest room

Print tips:

• Laminate the card to prevent water damage and wear
• Use a minimum size of 1 x 1 inch for close-range scanning
• Include the network name printed below the QR code as a fallback for devices that can’t scan
• Use high contrast (black QR on white background) for reliable scanning

Security Considerations

WiFi QR codes are convenient but expose your network password to anyone who can see or photograph the code. Consider these precautions:

Create a separate guest network. Most modern routers support guest networks with a different password and limited access. Guests get internet access without being able to see other devices on your main network. Share the guest network QR code, not your primary network.

Use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption. Never share QR codes for WEP-encrypted networks (WEP is trivially crackable) or open networks (no password). WPA2 is the minimum acceptable security standard.

Control physical access to the QR code. Display WiFi QR codes in semi-private areas (inside your home or office), not visible from windows or public walkways. Anyone who photographs the code can decode the password later.

Rotate passwords periodically. If your guest network sees heavy traffic (vacation rental, cafe), change the password monthly or quarterly. Generate a new QR code each time.

Bandwidth limits. Configure your router to limit bandwidth on the guest network so visitors can’t consume all your internet speed.

Creating WiFi QR Codes

Use our QR code generator to create WiFi QR codes:

1. Select WiFi Network as the QR code type.
2. Enter the Network Name (SSID) exactly as it appears in your WiFi settings. Case matters.
3. Enter the Password.
4. Select the Security Type (WPA/WPA2 for most networks).
5. Download the QR code as PNG (for screen use) or SVG (for printing).

Common mistakes when creating WiFi QR codes:

• SSID doesn’t match exactly (including capitalization and spaces)
• Password has a typo (test by scanning your own code first)
• Wrong security type selected (use WPA for WPA2 and WPA3 networks)
• Using WEP or open network (security risk, avoid if possible)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special app to scan WiFi QR codes?

No. iPhones running iOS 11+ and Android devices running Android 10+ scan WiFi QR codes natively through the built-in camera app. The phone recognizes the WiFi format and prompts you to join the network. Older devices (Android 9 and below) can decode the QR code but may require you to manually copy the password and enter it in WiFi settings.

Is it safe to share my WiFi password via QR code?

It is safe if you take precautions. The main risk is that anyone who can see or photograph the QR code can decode your password. Mitigate this by creating a separate guest network with its own password, displaying the QR code in private areas only, using WPA2/WPA3 encryption, and rotating the password periodically. Never share your primary network credentials via QR code if the code will be visible to untrusted visitors.

Why does the WiFi QR code not connect my device?

Common causes include: the SSID in the QR code doesn’t match your actual network name exactly (check capitalization and spaces), the password in the QR code has a typo, the security type is wrong (select WPA for WPA2 and WPA3 networks), or your device is running an older OS version that doesn’t support automatic WiFi QR connection. Test by scanning the code with your own phone first before sharing with guests.

Can I create a WiFi QR code that hides the password?

No. WiFi QR codes must contain the plain-text password so the device can authenticate with the network. The password is encoded in the QR pattern and can be decoded by any QR scanner. This is why using a separate guest network is important: even if someone decodes the password, they only access the guest network with limited privileges, not your primary network.