How to scan a QR code on iPhone
Open the Camera app, point it at the QR code for a second or two, then tap the yellow banner that appears. No app needed since iOS 11.
Updated September 24, 2026
Method 1: the Camera app
- Open Camera in Photo mode.
- Point the rear camera at the code from 6 to 16 inches and hold still for a second or two.
- A banner shows what the code holds: a website, a WiFi network, a contact. Tap it.
If nothing appears, check Settings, Camera, Scan QR Codes. It is on by default, but Screen Time restrictions or a work profile can turn it off.
Method 2: the Code Scanner in Control Center
iOS includes a dedicated reader that opens faster and works better in low light thanks to its built-in flashlight. Add it once: Settings, Control Center, add Code Scanner. Then swipe down from the top-right corner and tap the scanner icon.
One useful difference: the Code Scanner opens links in a mini browser without leaving what you were doing. Great at a restaurant table, less so for a page you want to keep in Safari.
Method 3: a QR code in a photo or screenshot
Since iOS 15, Live Text also recognizes QR codes in images. Open the photo or screenshot in Photos and touch and hold the code: a menu offers to open the link. The screenshot guide covers this case, common when someone texts you a code.
What the iPhone offers for each code type
| Code content | What the iPhone offers |
|---|---|
| Website | Open in Safari |
| WiFi | Join the network |
| Contact (vCard) | Create or add to a contact |
| Phone number | Call, after confirmation |
| Email, SMS | Open Mail or Messages with a draft |
| Event | Add to Calendar |
| Plain text | Show, copy or search the text |
On iPad and older iPhones
The same methods work on iPad: Camera, the Control Center Code Scanner and Live Text in Photos. An iPad lying flat has its rear camera facing the table, so hold it upright or use the front camera, softer but fine for a large code. An iPhone stuck on iOS 10 or earlier cannot read QR codes from the camera: you need a reader app, or a system update if the model allows it. Every iPhone since the 5s can run at least iOS 12, which includes scanning.
Troubleshooting: iPhone will not scan a QR code
- Clean the lens: one fingerprint can blur a small code.
- Step back: too close and the iPhone will not focus. Stay 6 to 16 inches from a 1 to 2 inch code.
- Add light: the Code Scanner has a flashlight. Avoid glare on glossy paper.
- Check the setting "Scan QR Codes" and any Screen Time restrictions.
- Try another phone: if no phone reads it, the code itself is the problem (contrast, size, margin). The QR code checker shows why.
Safety: read the domain before you tap
The iPhone banner shows the domain name before opening the link. Make a habit of reading it. On a parking meter or EV charger, a domain that does not match the city or the operator often means a fake sticker placed over the real code. When in doubt, do not enter card details.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an app to scan QR codes on iPhone?
No. The Camera app and the Control Center Code Scanner have handled it since iOS 11 and iOS 12.
How do I scan a QR code that is on my iPhone screen?
Take a screenshot, open it in Photos and touch and hold the QR code.
Why is no banner showing up?
"Scan QR Codes" may be off, or the code is too small, blurry or poorly lit.
Can the iPhone read a QR code offline?
Yes, reading happens on the phone. Opening a website still needs a connection.
Sources
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