Scan with the camera app
Many Android phones read QR codes in the camera app. Open the camera, point it at the code and wait for a link to appear. The steps differ by phone maker. On some phones you must turn on QR scanning or Google Lens suggestions in the camera settings first.
- Open the camera app and point it at the code.
- Tap the link or the suggestion that appears on the screen.
- If nothing appears, look for a QR or Lens option in the camera settings.
The camera app is the quickest way for a single code. It has no history, and it gives you no check on the link. If you scan many codes, or you want to know where a link goes, use Lens or a scanner app.
Scan with Google Lens
Google Lens reads QR codes on most Android phones. You can open Lens from the Google app, from the camera on some phones, or from Google Photos.
Open Lens and point it at the code. Tap the link that Lens shows. Lens also reads a code in a picture that you saved on the phone.
Scan with the QR Code Scanner app
A scanner app gives you more than the link. It keeps a history and it can check a link before you open it. These are the steps:
- Install QR Code Scanner from Google Play. It is free to download.
- Open the app and allow the camera. The scanner starts at once.
- Point the camera at the code. Hold the phone steady and keep the whole code in the frame.
- Read the result, check the link and open it. Open the link only when it looks safe.
Lens is a good choice when you also want to search for what is in a photo. A scanner app reads the code with the phone camera. Choose the tool that fits the task you have at hand.
Why a scanner app helps
The camera and Google Lens open a link fast. A scanner app adds tools for the codes you scan often.
- A link safety check. The app checks a link before you open it. This helps against fake codes that lead to a bad site, known as quishing. Read more in the QR code safety guide.
- Product barcodes and price lookup. Scan a barcode and search the product on Google, eBay, Amazon or OpenFoodFacts.
- A history by date. Every scan is saved. You can search the list to find an old code.
- CSV export. Save your scan history as a file.
- A QR code generator. Create a code for a link, a text or a Wi-Fi network.
The 2FA authenticator is on iPhone now. Coming soon to Android.
No method is best for every code. Use the camera for a quick look. Use a scanner app when you want a record or a safety check. You can use more than one method on the same phone, so try each one and keep the one you like best.
When a code does not scan
- Clean the lens. A smudge on the camera blurs the code.
- Check the light. Use a bright place. Turn on the flash in a dark room.
- Change the distance. Move the phone closer or farther until the code is sharp.
- Hold the phone steady. A moving phone blurs the small squares.
- Check for a damaged code. A torn, folded or low-contrast code can fail. Ask for a new copy.
A code in a screenshot does not need the camera. Read how to scan a QR code from an image. The iPhone steps are in the scanning guide.