How to scan a QR code on a Samsung Galaxy
Open the camera and point it at the code: on One UI, a link appears at the bottom of the screen. If it does not, "Scan QR codes" is switched off in the camera settings.
Updated September 24, 2026
Turn on scanning in the camera
- Open Camera.
- Tap the Settings gear, top left.
- Turn on Scan QR codes.
- Go back to Photo mode, point at the code and tap the link that appears.
The option is on by default in recent One UI versions, but a reset or an update can switch it off. It is the first thing to check when a Galaxy "stopped scanning".
Other ways on Galaxy
| Method | Where | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | Photo mode, "Scan QR codes" setting | Everyday use |
| Scan QR code | Quick Settings panel | Flashlight and more control before opening |
| Bixby Vision | Camera, More, or Bixby icon | Older models |
| Google Lens | Google bar, Gallery | Codes inside images |
| Samsung Internet | Browser menu, "Scan QR code" | When the camera does not react |
Reading a QR code in a photo or screenshot
Open the image in Gallery: an icon appears when a code is detected, or tap the Bixby Vision or Lens icon at the bottom. On recent models, a long press on the screenshot also offers to read the code. The screenshot guide covers other phones.
Joining WiFi
A WiFi QR code read by the camera offers to connect directly. If it fails, go to Settings, Connections, Wi-Fi, then the QR icon at the top of the list: that reader is built for networks and handles passwords with special characters better.
Galaxy Tab and older models
Galaxy Tab tablets follow the same settings as the phones: "Scan QR codes" lives in the camera, and the Quick Settings scanner is available on recent One UI versions. On Galaxy phones released before 2019, scanning goes through Bixby Vision: open the camera, tap the Bixby Vision icon, then point at the code. On even older models, the Samsung Internet browser offers a reader in its menu once enabled under add-ons. As a last resort, Google Lens works on every Galaxy with Google services. If your carrier locked down the camera app, Lens is also the quickest workaround.
Troubleshooting on Galaxy
- Check "Scan QR codes", then restart the camera.
- Clear the camera cache: Settings, Apps, Camera, Storage, Clear cache.
- Leave Pro or Night mode: scanning only works in Photo mode.
- Remove the case if it covers part of the main lens.
- Try Google Lens: if Lens reads it, the problem is the camera setting, not the code.
Protecting your Galaxy from fake codes
The link shows before it opens: read the domain. Samsung Internet can flag some dangerous sites, but no protection is perfect. A code on a parking meter that leads to a payment page under an unfamiliar name is a red flag: pay through the city's official app instead.
If you print your own codes, the QR code checker confirms they will scan on every phone, not only yours.
Frequently asked questions
My Samsung has no "Scan QR codes" option. What now?
Models older than One UI 2 use Bixby Vision or Google Lens. Update the system if you can.
Do I need a scanner app on a Galaxy?
No, the camera, the Quick Settings scanner, Bixby Vision or Google Lens are enough.
The link shows but will not open. Why?
Check your connection and the default browser in Settings, Apps, Choose default apps.
Can I share my WiFi as a QR code from a Galaxy?
Yes: Settings, Connections, Wi-Fi, the gear next to your network, then "QR code".
Sources
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