How to Scan a QR Code on iPhone (3 Easy Ways)

Every iPhone since iOS 11 can scan QR codes without any extra app. Here are the three reliable ways to do it.

1. Use the Camera app

This is the fastest method and works on every modern iPhone:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Point the rear camera at the QR code — you don’t need to take a photo.
3. Hold steady until a yellow banner or notification appears at the top.
4. Tap the banner to open the link, contact, Wi-Fi prompt or whatever the code contains.

If nothing pops up, make sure the whole code is inside the frame and well lit, and that you’re using the back camera.

2. Add the Code Scanner to Control Center

The built-in Code Scanner is handy because it never tries to take a photo and works even in low light:

1. Go to Settings → Control Center.
2. Add Code Scanner.
3. Swipe down (or up on older models) to open Control Center and tap the scanner icon.

3. Scan a QR code you already have as an image

If the code is in a screenshot, a saved photo, or a PDF, the Camera can’t point at it — but you can still scan it. Open our online QR scanner and upload the image; it decodes right in your browser, with nothing uploaded to a server. We cover this in detail in how to scan a QR code from a screenshot.

When it won’t scan

The usual culprits are poor lighting, a dirty lens, holding the phone too close, or a damaged/low-contrast code. Our guide to QR codes that won’t scan walks through every fix.

Need to create a code instead of scanning one? Start with the QR code generator.