How to Scan a QR Code on Android

To scan a QR code on Android, open the Camera app and point it at the code so the whole square is on the screen. After a moment, a link or bubble appears; tap it to open the website, menu, or other content. You do not take a picture, and on most current phones you do not need a separate app.

If the camera does not react, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap Scan QR code in Quick Settings, or use Google Lens. For a code that is already on your phone screen, use Circle to Search or Lens instead of a second device.

The steps below follow Google’s Pixel QR code guide, Samsung’s Galaxy QR code guide, and Android’s own article on QR codes, checked in October 2026.

What You Need Before You Start

A QR code is a square barcode that a phone camera can read. Google says a code can open a website, show a restaurant menu, or connect you to a Wi-Fi network.

• A phone with a working rear camera. Current Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones have QR scanning built in.
• An internet connection if the code leads to a website. The scan itself only reads the code; the page still has to load.
• The right camera mode. Google notes that its camera app cannot scan a QR code in portrait or video mode. Samsung says PHOTO must be selected.
• A minute of patience with labels. Android phone makers rename menus. If a label below is not on your phone, look for the closest match, such as “QR code scanner” or “Scan codes.”

How to Scan a QR Code With the Camera App

This is the shortest route on most phones.

1. Open the Camera app from the home screen or app list. The viewfinder appears. Stay in the normal photo mode.
2. Point the rear camera at the QR code. Make sure the entire code shows on the screen, with all four corners visible.
3. Hold the phone still and wait a moment. Do not press the shutter button. The camera recognizes the code on its own and shows a bubble or link on the screen.
4. Read the link that appears. If it is what you expected, tap it. The website, app, or other content opens.

You know the scan worked when the link or bubble shows up. If you do not tap it, nothing opens, so you can safely point the camera at a code just to see where it leads.

Some Android phones use the Camera from Google app. Google’s Camera from Google help page says you can scan in the default photo mode or tap a dedicated QR mode, then tap the banner that appears. Google adds that this feature is available only on selected devices.

Turn On QR Scanning in the Camera Settings

If the camera shows nothing when you point it at a code, the scanning setting may be off. The setting has a different name on each brand.

Google Pixel

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Tap Settings, then More settings.
3. Find Camera scan suggestions and make sure it is turned on.
4. Go back to the viewfinder and point the camera at the code again.

Samsung Galaxy

1. Open the Camera app and make sure PHOTO is selected at the bottom.
2. Tap the Settings icon in the Camera app.
3. Tap the switch next to Scan QR codes so it is on.
4. Return to the viewfinder and position it over the code.

Other Android Phones

Open the Camera app’s settings and look for an option that mentions QR codes, scanning, or Google Lens. The exact name is set by the phone maker, so check the maker’s support site if you cannot find it. If there is no such option, use Quick Settings or Google Lens below; both do the same job.

To undo this later, return to the same screen and turn the switch off. The camera then stops showing links when a code is in view.

Scan From Quick Settings

Quick Settings is the panel of shortcut buttons that opens when you swipe down from the top of the screen. It can hold a dedicated QR scanner, which is handy when the Camera app is not picking up a code.

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen. On a Samsung Galaxy, Samsung says to swipe down with two fingers to open the full panel.
2. Tap Scan QR code. A scanner window opens.
3. Point the scanner at the code. It reads the code automatically when it is in focus.
4. Tap the result to open it.

If you do not see the button on a Pixel, Google says to swipe left to find more buttons, or tap the pencil icon to add Scan QR code to the panel. On other phones, look for an edit option in the same panel.

Samsung notes that its scanner window also lets you turn on the flashlight, which helps in a dark room, and open the Gallery app.

Scan With Google Lens

Google Lens is Google’s image search tool. It reads QR codes, and Android’s article says it can handle more than one code at once. Use it when your camera app has no QR option.

1. Open the Google app. Google’s instructions also list the Chrome app.
2. In the search bar, tap the Google Lens icon, which looks like a small camera.
3. If asked, allow camera access so Lens can see the code.
4. Point the camera at the QR code. Lens shows the link or information tied to the code.
5. Tap the result to open it.

Google asks you to use the latest version of the Google app for Lens. The steps come from Google’s Search with an image help page.

Scan a QR Code That Is Already on Your Screen

You cannot point a phone’s camera at its own screen. For a code inside an email, PDF, web page, photo, or app, use one of these two methods.

Circle to Search

Circle to Search is a Google feature that searches whatever is on your screen. Google says it is available on select Android phones, including Pixel 6 and later.

1. Open the email, page, or picture so the QR code is visible.
2. Touch and hold the Home button at the bottom of the screen. If you use gesture navigation, touch and hold the navigation handle, which is the thin bar at the bottom. A Google search bar appears.
3. Circle the QR code with your finger.
4. Check the link shown in the results on the lower half of the screen, then tap it if you want to open it.
5. To leave Circle to Search, swipe down, use the back gesture, or tap the X at the top left.

Not sure if your phone has it? Open the Settings app and type “Circle to Search” in the search bar at the top. If the feature is available, a switch appears and you can turn it on or off. Google’s Circle to Search help page adds that it may not work in some apps, such as banking apps.

A Saved Picture or Screenshot

If Circle to Search is not on your phone, save the code as an image first. You can take a screenshot on Android by pressing Power and Volume Down together.

1. Open the Google app and tap the Google Lens icon in the search bar.
2. Below the camera view, pick the screenshot or photo that contains the code. Google’s help page lists recent images under “Screenshots.”
3. If Lens does not find the code right away, drag the corners of the selection box so it surrounds the code.
4. Tap the link that Lens shows.

You can also open the picture in Google Photos and tap the Lens button. Depending on the app version, it may sit under a More menu.

If the QR Code Will Not Scan

Work through these in order. The first four come from Google’s Pixel guide.

• Hold steady. A shaky hand makes the code blurry, and the camera cannot focus on it.
• Get good light. Scan in a well-lit spot and avoid shadows or glare on the code. In the Samsung scanner, you can turn on the flashlight.
• Clean the lens. Wipe a smudged camera lens with a soft cloth.
• Get closer. Move the phone toward the code, but keep the entire square clearly on the screen.
• Check the mode. Switch back to the normal photo mode. Portrait and video modes do not scan in Google’s camera app.
• Check the setting. Confirm Camera scan suggestions (Pixel) or Scan QR codes (Galaxy) is on.
• Try another scanner. If the Camera app fails, use the Quick Settings scanner or Google Lens. If one of them reads the code, the camera setting is the likely cause.
• Look at the code itself. A torn, faded, very small, or partly covered code may not be readable by any phone. Ask for another copy or a typed link.

If Circle to Search shows a “Screen search isn’t available” error, Google says to open Settings > Apps > Default apps > Digital assistant app, make sure Google is the default assistant and Use screen and app data is on, then update the Google app in the Play Store.

No Scan QR code button in Quick Settings, even in the edit list? Your phone maker may not include it. Use the Camera app or Google Lens instead.

Stay Safe With QR Codes

A QR code is only a shortcut to a link or action, and you cannot tell where it goes by looking at it. Before you tap, read the web address that appears on the screen.

• Be careful with codes on parking meters, flyers, stickers, and unexpected emails or texts. A sticker can be placed over a real code.
• Do not tap a link if the address does not match the business or service you expected.
• Do not enter passwords or payment details on a page you reached from a code unless you are sure the site is genuine. When in doubt, type the company’s address into your browser yourself.
• If a code offers to join a Wi-Fi network or open an app, only accept when you trust the source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a QR code app on Android?

Usually not. The Camera app, the Quick Settings scanner, and Google Lens can all scan QR codes on current Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones, and Lens is part of the Google app that comes with most Android phones. If you do install a scanner, read its Play Store listing and permissions first.

Do I have to take a picture of the QR code?

No. Google’s guide says you do not need to take a picture. Point the camera at the code, wait, and tap the link that appears.

Can a QR code connect me to Wi-Fi?

Yes. Google notes that a QR code can connect you to a Wi-Fi network. To make one for your own network, Google’s Android Wi-Fi help page says to open Settings > Network & internet > Internet, tap your network, and tap Share. Your phone shows a QR code that a friend can scan to join. Menu names differ on Samsung and other brands.

Why does my Samsung phone not scan QR codes?

Samsung says to make sure PHOTO is selected in the Camera app. If the code still does not scan, tap the Settings icon in the Camera app and turn on Scan QR codes. You can also swipe down with two fingers and tap Scan QR code in the Quick settings panel.

How do I scan a QR code from a screenshot?

Open the Google app, tap the Google Lens icon, and choose the screenshot. On phones with Circle to Search, you can skip the screenshot: touch and hold the Home button or navigation handle, then circle the code on the screen.

How do I copy the link instead of opening it?

Some scanners show a copy option next to the link, but this depends on the phone and the scanner. If you copy a link, see where to find the clipboard on Android to paste it later.

Next Step

Try the Camera app on any printed QR code now, so you know whether the setting is already on. If it is not, add Scan QR code to Quick Settings as a backup. Using an Apple device as well? See how to scan QR codes on an iPhone.