How to Scan a QR Code on Android and iPhone (Every Method)

The universal method: your camera app

On virtually every phone since 2018, open the camera, point it at the code (don't tap the shutter), hold steady for a second, and tap the link bubble that appears. iPhones (iOS 11+) and Android phones (Google Camera, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo — all of them) scan natively. No app needed.

Scanning a code that's ON your phone

Got a QR in a screenshot or WhatsApp forward? You can't point the camera at its own screen — use these instead:

• Google Lens (Android & iPhone): open the image in Lens (long-press the photo in Google Photos → Lens) — it decodes instantly.
• iPhone: open the screenshot in Photos and press-and-hold on the QR — iOS 16+ detects it inline.
• Our free scanner at indiaqrcode.com/scan: upload the image or paste it — works in any browser.
• UPI apps (GPay/PhonePe/Paytm): their scanner has an 'upload from gallery' icon for payment QRs.

Payment QRs: use the UPI app directly

For payment codes, scanning inside GPay, PhonePe, Paytm or BHIM is smoother than the camera — the app decodes the UPI string, shows the payee name (check it!) and takes you straight to the amount screen. Any UPI app scans any standard payment QR — there is no 'PhonePe-only' code.

When a QR won't scan: the fix list

• Move back — phones focus poorly closer than ~10 cm; fill about half the frame, not all of it.
• Add light or turn on the flash; glare on glossy lamination kills scans — tilt slightly.
• Clean your lens (genuinely the #1 fix).
• Tiny code? Zoom in with the camera instead of moving closer.
• Still nothing? The print may be too small or damaged — see our print size guide for the 10:1 rule.