Quick Calculators
Back to Blog

How to Scan a QR Code on Any Smartphone

Quick Calculators Team
3 min read

Just a decade ago, QR (Quick Response) codes were considered a failed marketing gimmick. Today, they are an inescapable part of daily life.

Whether you are trying to view a touchless menu at a restaurant, pay for parking, or board an airplane, you need to know how to scan these digital squares quickly and securely.

Fortunately, modern smartphones have made scanning QR codes incredibly easy. You no longer need to download sketchy third-party "Scanner Apps."

How to Scan a QR Code on an iPhone (iOS)

If you have an iPhone running iOS 11 or later (which is almost every iPhone currently in use), the QR scanner is built directly into your native camera.

  1. Unlock your iPhone and open the default Camera app.
  2. Select the standard Photo mode.
  3. Point the camera squarely at the QR code. You do not need to press the shutter button to take a picture.
  4. Within a second, a yellow box will outline the QR code, and a clickable link will appear floating on your screen.
  5. Tap the link to open the website in Safari.

Pro-Tip: If the link isn't appearing, ensure the feature is turned on by going to Settings > Camera and toggling on Scan QR Codes.

How to Scan a QR Code on an Android

Android devices are slightly more fragmented than iPhones, but the process is just as simple on modern devices.

Using Google Lens (Built into most cameras):

  1. Open your default Camera app.
  2. Point the camera at the QR code.
  3. Depending on your phone manufacturer (Samsung, Google Pixel, etc.), a link will either pop up immediately, or a small Google Lens icon (it looks like a little camera inside a circle) will appear.
  4. Tap the Google Lens icon to scan the code and open the link.

Security Warning: Beware of "Quishing"

Because you cannot read the URL hidden inside a QR code with your naked eye, scammers have started placing fake QR code stickers over legitimate ones (like on parking meters) to steal credit card info. This is known as "Quishing" (QR Phishing).

Always look at the URL before you click it. When your camera scans the code, it will preview the web address. If you are paying for parking in Los Angeles, but the URL preview says http://random-scam-site.ru, do not click it!

Create Your Own Codes

If you are a small business owner looking to create a touchless menu, a WiFi login card, or a link to your social media, you can generate your own custom, high-resolution codes instantly using our free QR Generator!