3 Ways to Scan a QR Code on Your Phone (Without Using A Second Phone)

QR Codes make accessing digital content on your smartphone quick and easy. Just scan the square dot-matrix code, and it instantly opens a webpage, file, or other resource.

Whether it’s a business card, healthcare form, or restaurant menu, QR Codes have become a go-to tool for sharing information quickly and efficiently. But if you’ve ever wondered how QR Codes work or what to do when the one you need is already on your phone screen, don’t worry—you don’t need a second phone or a tech degree.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through three methods to scan QR Codes that are on your device, making it easier than ever to unlock their potential. 

Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.

1. Use the built-in Live Text on iPhone

If you have an iPhone, you already have a built-in QR Code scanner that works directly through your phone’s camera. But did you know there’s another built-in feature to scan QR Codes that show up on your phone screen?

In 2023, Apple introduced Live Text, an AI-powered feature that recognizes and interacts with a photo’s contents. It comes with several clever capabilities, like converting handwritten notes into typed text, extracting text from your photos, and even performing online searches using images. 

Most importantly, Live Text can scan QR Codes. Let’s say that you’ve taken a photo of a poster with a QR Code in one corner. With Live Text, you can long-press on the code in the image, and your iPhone will open the link instantly. 

Live Text works seamlessly across Apple devices, including iPads and Macs. It’s a quick and convenient way to scan QR Codes without downloading extra apps—everything you need is already built in.

2. Open Google Lens on Android devices

Before Apple introduced Live Text, Android users already had a powerful tool for scanning and interacting with images: Google Lens.

Launched in 2017, Google Lens helps you search online for objects, products, or text using your phone’s built-in camera. It’s incredibly versatile—it can copy text from photos, solve math equations, perform online image searches, and, most relevant here, read QR Codes. 

Here’s how to use Google Lens to scan a QR Code from your photos:

1. Open the Google app or tap the Google Lens icon (it looks like a tiny Polaroid camera) in the Google search bar. 
   
   
2. Tap the Photos icon in the upper right corner to access your photo albums. 
   
   
3. Select the image with the QR Code. Google Lens will scan it and open the link in your web browser.

If you have an Android smartphone, Google Lens is already installed as part of the Google app—use the search bar if you can’t find it on your device. (A small note: some older Android phones might not support Lens, but this is increasingly rare.) 

iPhone users can also use Google Lens to scan QR Codes—just download the Google app from the App Store.

3. With a third-party QR Code scanner

If Live Text or Google Lens aren’t your style, or you keep running into QR Code scanning problems, there’s another option: third-party QR Code scanner apps. These apps, available for download in the Google Play Store or App Store—or accessible via web browsers—offer additional flexibility for scanning codes on your device.

3 Best QR Code reader apps

We’ve rounded up three of the best free barcode scanner apps to help you get started. Each of these apps is safe, simple to use, and completely free.

1. TeaCapps

TeaCapps’ QR Code & Barcode Scanner app is a reliable and user-friendly tool for scanning codes with ease. With its clean, no-frills interface, it delivers a hassle-free experience designed for quick and efficient use. Users praise its speed and the distance at which it can read codes.

2. ScanApp

ScanApp is an open-source web-based app for scanning QR Codes and barcodes, perfect for those who prefer not to download additional apps. It works directly in your web browser, uses your device’s camera or saved images, and is compatible with Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows. 

As a free and basic scanner, it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a simple solution without extra features.

3. Trend Micro QR Scanner

Trend Micro is a reputable third-party app available for both iOS and Android devices. It’s designed to scan live QR Codes as well as those from saved images.

The app’s standout feature is its enhanced security: no ads, robust link safety checks, and the ability to block and report malicious websites. It also stores your scan history, making it easy to revisit useful links and files whenever you need them.

How to troubleshoot scanning issues

Sometimes, it seems like a QR Code isn’t working, even when you scan with multiple apps. Here are some of the common reasons that you can’t scan a QR Code—plus how to fix it.

• You need to update your settings. In your phone settings, you can turn off the ability to read QR Codes. Double-check that you have Google Lens or Live Text enabled.
  
  
• Your mobile device is too old. There are minimum system requirements for scanning QR Codes. If you have an iPhone, it should run iOS 11 or later. If you’re an Android user, you need Android 9 or later to scan QR Codes. You’ll need to download a third-party app to scan QR Codes on phones with an older operating system.
  
  
• The QR Code is too far away. You can scan most QR Codes from a range of distances. But if you’re very far off, then your phone may not be able to read the image.
  
  
• The QR Code is too close. Most smartphone cameras will alert you if you are too close to the code for an accurate scan. If you’re standing right next to it, try moving further back.
  
  
• The camera lens is obscured. To scan a QR Code accurately, your phone needs a clear image. Check that nothing is covering the camera lens on your smartphone and the glass is clean.
  
  
• Your screen brightness needs adjusting. Strangely enough, your screen brightness affects your phone’s ability to read images. Try increasing the screen brightness to see if the QR Code becomes more visible.
  
  
• There’s not enough light. Similar to screen brightness, your phone camera might struggle to scan QR Codes in a dark room or at night. Turn on a light or use your phone torch to illuminate the code better.
  
  
• The QR Code is faulty. It’s not your fault! QR Codes won’t scan correctly if they are blurry, printed in the wrong size, or using a shape or color palette that’s hard to read. Some QR Codes limit the number of times they can be scanned. And in other cases, the link is just broken or out of date.

If you’ve tried everything and a QR Code still doesn’t work, look for an alternative link displayed nearby, or ask for help from customer service.

Unlock the full potential of QR Codes by generating your own

QR Codes are incredibly versatile and easy to use. Whether you’re scanning with your smartphone camera or opening one from a saved image or screenshot, they offer instant access to everything from product information to registration forms. 

And since built-in phone features and third-party apps make scanning simple for anyone, have you ever considered creating your own QR Codes? QR Code Generator PRO offers a comprehensive platform to get started. 

You can generate codes for social media profiles, PDFs, videos, links, Wi-Fi passwords, and more. Plus, the platform allows you to customize your codes to match your brand identity and track how they’re used for more control and insights.

Start creating customized, trackable QR Codes with QR Code Generator PRO—your all-in-one solution for smarter sharing.