How to Scan a QR Code on Any Device

Updated February 2026

QR codes are everywhere — on restaurant tables, product packaging, event tickets, business cards, and parking meters. Scanning them is simple on every major platform, but the exact steps vary by device. This guide walks you through how to scan QR codes on iPhones, Android phones, Samsung Galaxy devices, Chromebooks, and desktop computers, including how to decode QR codes that are already on your screen.

Two Types of QR Code Scanning

Before diving into device-specific instructions, it helps to understand that there are two different scenarios for scanning a QR code. The first is camera scanning, where you point your device's camera at a physical QR code in front of you — printed on paper, displayed on a screen, or on a product label. The second is image decoding, where the QR code is already on your device as a screenshot, in a PDF, in an email, or on a webpage you're browsing. You can't point your camera at your own screen, so you need a decoder tool instead. Our QR Code Scanner handles the first scenario, and our QR Code Decoder handles the second.

iPhone & iPad

Apple has supported QR code scanning through the built-in Camera app since iOS 11. Simply open the Camera, point it at a QR code, and tap the yellow notification banner that appears at the top of the screen. If it doesn't seem to work, go to Settings > Camera and make sure "Scan QR Codes" is enabled. For QR codes on your screen — in emails, PDFs, or eSIM activation messages — take a screenshot and upload it to our QR Code Decoder. This is especially useful for eSIM setup, where the QR code is on the same phone you need to activate.

Read the full iPhone guide with video tutorial →

Android

Most Android phones running Android 9 or later can scan QR codes directly through the Camera app. Open your camera, point it at the code, and tap the link that appears. Some phones also support scanning through Google Lens, which you can access by long-pressing the home button or tapping the Lens icon in the camera viewfinder. If your Camera app doesn't detect QR codes, our browser-based QR Scanner works on any Android phone through Chrome or your default browser. For QR codes already on your screen, screenshot them and use the QR Code Decoder.

Read the full Android guide with video tutorial →

Samsung Galaxy

Samsung Galaxy phones have QR code scanning built into multiple places: the Camera app, Samsung Gallery (via Bixby Vision), and Samsung Internet browser. The Camera app is the fastest option for physical codes — just point and tap. For QR codes saved as images, you can try Bixby Vision in the Gallery app, but for the most reliable results with screenshots, PDFs, and tricky codes, the browser-based decoder tends to catch codes that Samsung's built-in options sometimes miss.

Read the full Samsung guide with video tutorial →

Chromebook

Chromebooks don't include a native QR code scanning app, which surprises many users. The good news is you don't need to install any extensions from the Chrome Web Store. Open Chrome and visit our QR Scanner to use your Chromebook's webcam for physical codes. For QR codes on your screen, take a screenshot with Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows (the rectangle key), then upload it to the QR Code Decoder. This works on all ChromeOS devices including budget Chromebooks, convertible 2-in-1s, and Chromeboxes with external webcams.

Read the full Chromebook guide with video tutorial →

Windows & Mac

Desktop and laptop computers can scan QR codes using a webcam through our browser-based QR Scanner. Open the page in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari, allow camera access, and hold the QR code in front of your webcam. For QR code images — screenshots, downloaded files, or codes displayed in documents — use the QR Code Decoder instead. You can upload the image, drag and drop it onto the page, or even paste it directly from your clipboard with Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V on Mac).

Quick Tip: Camera vs. Decoder

A common point of confusion is knowing which tool to use. The rule is simple: use the Scanner (camera) when the QR code is physically in front of you — on paper, packaging, a poster, or another screen. Use the Decoder (image upload) when the QR code is already on your device as a digital file — a screenshot, PDF, email attachment, or saved image. Both tools process everything locally in your browser, so your data stays private regardless of which one you choose.

Troubleshooting Tips

If a QR code isn't scanning, there are a few things to check. Make sure the code is well-lit and your camera lens is clean. Hold your device steady and keep the entire QR code visible in the frame. If the code is very small, move closer. If the code is on a glossy surface, try tilting your device to reduce glare. For image decoding, cropping the image to focus on just the QR code area often improves detection rates. Our decoder uses a multi-pass algorithm that tries different scales and contrast levels, so it handles most difficult cases automatically.