To scan a QR code, follow these steps based on your device:
On iPhone or iPad
- Open the Camera app from the Home Screen, Lock Screen, or Control Center.
- Point your device’s camera at the QR code so it appears in the viewfinder.
- Your device will automatically recognize the QR code and show a notification.
- Tap the notification to open the link or content associated with the QR code.
- You can also add the Code Scanner to the Control Center for quick access
On Android
- Open the Camera app and point it at the QR code.
- Pause briefly until the camera detects the QR code and a notification pops up.
- Tap the notification to view the QR code content.
- Alternatively, swipe down from the top of the screen to access Quick Settings and tap the QR scanner icon if available.
- If your phone doesn’t support QR scanning via the camera, you can use Google Lens app or a third-party QR scanner app.
- For QR codes displayed on your screen (not physical), Android offers a feature called Circle to Search that lets you scan QR codes directly from your device's screen by circling the code with your finger
Using Online QR Code Scanners (for images or no camera)
- Upload a QR code image or paste its URL into an online QR code scanner website like ScanQR.org or Minifier.org.
- The tool will decode the QR code and display its content instantly.
- This method works on mobile or desktop without needing to install any app
In summary, scanning a QR code usually involves opening your device’s camera, pointing it at the code, and tapping the notification that appears. If you don’t have a camera or want to scan from an image, online QR code scanner tools can help you decode the QR code easily
