How to Scan a QR Code on an iPhone or iPad

Written by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: July 28, 2022 Tested

Camera

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Control Center

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Apple Wallet

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Snapchat

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

This wikiHow teaches you how to scan a QR code using your iPhone or iPad camera. QR codes are black-and-white patterns used to contain information or data. QR codes can store different information, ranging from movie tickets to a user’s profile on a social media app.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Camera

1
Enable scanning on your device if needed. In iOS 12 later, QR code scanning is enabled automatically. If you are using iOS 11, or your camera app is not scanning QR codes automatically, you may need to enable QR code scanning in the Settings menu. Use the following steps to enable QR code scanning:
- Tap the app icon that has two silver gears to open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Camera.
- Tap the toggle switch next Scan QR codes. If the toggle switch is green, QR code scanning is enabled.
2
Open your iPhone's or iPad's Camera app. Tap the Camera app icon on your home screen to open the Camera app. It has an icon that resembles a camera.

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3
Select the forward-facing camera. The forward-facing camera is the one on the back of your device. If the camera app is using the back-facing camera (the selfie camera), tap the icon that resembles a camera with two arching arrows in the center to switch to the forward-facing camera.
4
Point the camera at the QR code. The QR code should be centered in the middle of the iPhone or iPad screen, with no edges or pieces off-screen. The camera will scan the QR code automatically.
5
Tap the notification. This opens the URL contained within the QR code.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Control Center

1
Add the QR Code Reader to the controls. If you are not able to access the QR Code Reader in the Control Center, you may need to add it in the Settings app. Use the following steps to add the QR Code Reader to the Control Center.
- Open tap the app icon that has two silver gears to open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Control Center.
- Tap Customize Controls.
- Tap the green plus (+) icon next to QR Code Reader. If it is listed under "Include", it's already in the Control Center.
2
Press the Home button. It's the circle button below the screen. This opens the home screen.
- Some iPhone models have the Home button on the screen itself, rather a physical button below the screen.
3
Swipe down from the top-right corner. This opens the Control Center.
- On some iPhone models, you need to swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the Control Center.
4
Tap the icon that resembles a QR code. This opens the QR Code Reader.
5
Aim the camera at a QR code. Aim the camera so that the QR code is centered within the four white brackets in the center of the screen. The QR Code Reader will scan the QR Code automatically and open the link contained within the QR code automatically.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Apple Wallet

1
Open the Wallet app. It has an icon that resembles the inside of a wallet with credit cards.
- Wallet only scans QR codes for “passes,” such as boarding or cinema tickets, which it will store digitally for you in the app.
2
Tap Scan Code. It’s towards the bottom of the page in blue lettering.
3
Hold your iPhone over a QR code. There will be a contracting and expanding square on the screen.
4
Fit the square around the code. Wallet will read the QR and add the pass automatically.
- If the QR code isn’t for a pass, Wallet will show a message saying “No Pass Available for This Code.”
- After you scan your first pass, you will have tap the “+” in the upper right corner of the screen, and then tap Scan Code to Add a Pass.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Snapchat

1
Open the Snapchat app. It’s a yellow icon with an image that resembles a white ghost. Tap the icon to open Snapchat.
2
Hold your phone over a Snapcode or any QR code. You should see the QR code in the center of the screen.
- If you are using the back-facing (selfie) camera instead of the forward-facing camera, tap the icon with two arrows drawing the shape of a smartphone in the upper-right corner to switch cameras.
3
Tap and hold the QR code on the screen. Once the code scans, a pop-up will appear in the center of the screen.
- You can the Snapchat scanner to scan regular QR codes or Snapcodes.
4
Tap the purple button in the center. This will open the URL in the QR code or Snapcode.
- This is a good way to add friends in Snapchat. Tap ADD FRIEND at the bottom of the popup to do so.
- You can let friends scan your Snapcode, as well. Swipe down on your camera screen in Snapchat and you will see you Snapcode.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I remove a scan code from my photos?

PacmanEater123 :D

Community Answer

You remove it like any other photo. You just go on the photo and hit the trash icon.