Ranking updated
How to scan a QR code or barcode
Most phones scan QR codes without a separate app. On iPhone the Camera and the Code Scanner in Control Center read them. Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones scan from the Camera and from a Scan QR code button in Quick Settings. For barcodes and for codes in photos, Google Lens works on Android and inside the Google app on iPhone.
How we picked: the scanning each phone maker and Google describe on their own support pages, with the steps they give. We do not list third-party scanner apps.
Scan a QR code on iPhone
Apple says to open the Camera app from the Home Screen, Lock Screen or Control Center, or tap the Scan Code button in Control Center, hold the phone so the code appears and tap the link. If the Scan Code button is missing, touch and hold the Control Center background, tap Add a Control and pick Scan Code.
Scan a QR code on Android
On a Pixel, point the Camera at the code; Google says Camera scan suggestions must be on in the camera settings, and you do not need to take a picture. You can also swipe down to Quick Settings and tap Scan QR code. On a Samsung Galaxy, swipe down with two fingers and tap Scan QR code, or point the Camera in Photo mode at the code; if it does not react, Samsung says to turn on Scan QR codes in the Camera settings. On other phones, Camera from Google has a QR mode on selected devices.
Scan a code from a photo or screenshot
Samsung’s Scan QR code window has a button that opens the Gallery, so you can read a code from a saved picture. Google Lens in the Google app or Chrome lets you pick a photo or screenshot, and in Google Photos you can open a picture and tap Lens; Google says a barcode in a photo brings up information about the product, such as where to buy it.
Barcodes
To scan a barcode in Chrome on Android, tap Google Lens in the search bar, put the barcode in the box and tap the shutter, then swipe up for results. To scan paper documents rather than codes, see document scanner apps.
| Where | How to scan | From a photo | Barcodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone | Camera, or Scan Code in Control Center | not covered by Apple’s QR guide | not covered by Apple’s QR guide |
| Pixel | Camera with Camera scan suggestions on, or Scan QR code in Quick Settings | through Google Lens | through Google Lens |
| Samsung Galaxy | Camera in Photo mode, or Scan QR code in Quick settings | Gallery button in the scanner window | not covered by Samsung’s QR guide |
| Google LensApp StoreGoogle Play | in Chrome, the Google app or Google Lens | yes, pick a photo or screenshot | yes, product info |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a QR scanner app?
Usually not. The iPhone Camera and Code Scanner, the Pixel and Samsung Camera and their Quick Settings buttons read QR codes without an extra app.
How do I scan a QR code from a photo?
On Samsung, open the Scan QR code window from Quick settings and tap the Gallery button. Otherwise, open the photo or screenshot in Google Lens through the Google app, Chrome or Google Photos.
How do I scan a barcode with my phone?
Use Google Lens: in Chrome on Android tap Lens, put the barcode in the box and tap the shutter. Google says this brings up information about the product.
My Samsung camera does not scan QR codes. What now?
Samsung says to turn on Scan QR codes in the Camera settings, or use the Scan QR code button in Quick settings.