QR codes are everywhere, from restaurant menus, advertisements, digital business cards, and more they have become a simple and effective way to share information. But what happens when you’re scrolling through social media or on a company's website and there’s a QR code, how do you scan it?  

‍

Usually, to scan a QR code, you’d pull up your camera app, but that’s not possible when the QR code is already on your phone. So what should you do? Keep reading to learn how to scan a QR code from your smartphone. 

‍

Can you scan a QR code from the camera roll? 

Yes! Both iOS and Android devices allow you to scan a QR code from an image saved to your camera roll without any extra apps. Start by taking a screenshot of the QR code on your device, then follow the instructions below for your iOS or Android device. 

‍

‍

How to scan a QR code from a photo on iOS devices

Apple devices make it easy to scan QR codes right from your photo gallery with the live dictation button. Here’s how: 

‍

1. Open the picture or screenshot in the Photos app.

2. Click the live text dictation button in the bottom right corner.

3. Click the QR code and open the link. 

‍

‍

How to scan a QR code from the photo on Android devices

Not all Android devices have a built-in option to scan a QR code from photos, and built-in options may vary depending on your device. If your Android device has Google Lens or Google Assistant, you should be able to scan a QR code from photos easily. 

‍

How to scan a QR code from the Android gallery with Google Lens

1. Open the image the Gallery app

2. Select the photo of the QR code

3. Tap the share icon

4. Select Google Search Image to read the QR code using Google Lens.

‍

How to scan a QR code from an image with Google Assistant

1. Open your camera and switch to Google Assistant mode

2. Choose a picture from the Gallery

3. Select the link that pops up above the QR code. 

‍

If your device doesn’t have one of these built-in options, you may need to download an app to scan QR codes from a photo or screenshot.

‍

Frequently Asked Questions About Scanning Qr Codes From Images

Do I need an app to scan a QR code from my photo gallery?

No, both iOS and Android devices support scanning a QR code from within the photo gallery. 

‍

My phone isn’t detecting the QR code in the image, what should I do?

While most iOS and Android devices support QR code scanning from a photo, not all devices do. You may need to download a third-party QR code scanner if your device does not support QR code scanning. 

‍

How do I take a screenshot of a QR code?

Every device is different, but for most smartphones pressing the power button and the volume up or down button will take a screenshot. 

‍