How to Scan a QR Code
Scanning a QR code does not require downloading third-party scanner apps filled with advertisements. Depending on whether you have a physical code in front of you or a screenshot saved on your device, here is how to scan a QR code quickly:
From a Screenshot
Take a screenshot of the QR code on your phone or PC, then drop it into our scanner above or press Ctrl+V.
Using Live Camera
Click Live Camera Scanner, grant temporary camera access, and point your webcam or mobile camera at the printed QR code.
From an Image File
Upload any saved PNG, JPG, WebP, or SVG file from your gallery or desktop folder to decode the underlying URL or Wi-Fi password.
How to Scan QR Code on Android
Modern Android devices running Android 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and newer feature native QR scanning across Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Motorola smartphones:
- Using the Android Camera App: Open your pre-installed Camera app. Point the viewfinder steadily at the QR code for 1β2 seconds. A floating link or notification capsule will appear on screen. Tap it to open the destination link.
- Using the Quick Settings QR Tile: Swipe down twice from the top of your screen to reveal the full Quick Settings panel. Tap the tile labeled Scan QR code (or QR code scanner). A dedicated full-screen scanner will activate immediately.
- Using Google Lens for Saved Screenshots: If someone sent you a QR code in WhatsApp or via email, open the Google Photos app, tap the image, and tap the Lens button at the bottom to extract the link.
- Using This Web Scanner (No App Needed): Visit
runofflinetools.com/tools/qr-code-scanner/directly in Chrome or Firefox. You can scan live via your browser or upload screenshots without installing bloated Play Store scanner apps.
How to Scan QR Code on iPhone
Apple integrates hardware-accelerated QR code reading natively into iOS across all iPhones and iPads without requiring any third-party app:
- Using the iPhone Camera App: Open the Camera app from your Lock Screen or Home Screen. Ensure the rear-facing camera is selected. Hold your device so the QR code appears within the camera frame. A yellow bracket and button with the website link will pop up directly beneath the QR code. Tap the yellow button to open the link in Safari.
- Using the iOS Control Center Code Scanner: Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or swipe up from the bottom on iPhone SE/iPhone 8). Tap the official Code Scanner icon (a small square QR grid icon). If it is not visible, go to Settings > Control Center and add Code Scanner.
- How to Scan a QR Code from an iPhone Screenshot: If you see a QR code inside an app or on a website, take a screenshot (Volume Up + Side Button). Open the screenshot in the Photos app and tap the Live Text icon (three horizontal lines in a square) in the bottom-right corner. The QR code becomes interactiveβtap it directly to open the webpage.
- Using Safari with Our Offline Web Scanner: If you want to check what is encoded in a QR code (such as checking a Wi-Fi password or verifying a suspicious URL) before opening it, upload it into this client-side scanner to safely inspect raw data first.
Automatic Payload Detection & Instant Actions
QR codes can carry many different data formats. Our decoder inspects the decoded character string and formats it into actionable widgets:
| QR Code Type | Protocol Prefix | Parsed Information & Quick Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Website URL | https://, http:// | Direct destination preview with one-click "Open Link" and "Copy URL" buttons. |
| Wi-Fi Network | WIFI:S:...;P:...; | Extracts SSID, encryption algorithm, and provides a 1-click password copy button. |
| Contact Card | BEGIN:VCARD | Parses Full Name, Organization, Phone Number, and Email Address. |
| Email (mailto) | mailto:... | Extracts recipient address, subject line, and pre-filled email body. |
| Phone / SMS | tel:, smsto: | Direct dialer integration and pre-populated SMS message composer. |
| Plain Text / JSON | Raw characters | Character and byte counter with one-click copy and text download. |
Why Client-Side In-Browser Scanning Protects Your Privacy
Many free online QR readers require you to upload your image to a remote web server where the file is stored, analyzed, and logged. This introduces severe privacy risks, particularly when scanning:
- Confidential Wi-Fi login credentials and corporate network passcodes.
- Private contact details, personal phone numbers, and home addresses.
- Cryptocurrency wallet addresses or authentication tokens.
RunOfflineTools executes 100% of the computer vision decoding on your local machine using client-side JavaScript. Your images, camera streams, and decoded payloads never touch a server, ensuring complete confidentiality.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to scan a QR code?
To scan a QR code online without installing any app, use our free client-side scanner: (1) Drag and drop any QR code image or screenshot, (2) Paste an image directly with Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V on Mac), or (3) Switch to 'Live Camera Scanner' to point your webcam or mobile camera at the code. The decoded URL, Wi-Fi password, or text appears instantly.
How to scan QR code on Android?
On Android, you have three built-in ways to scan a QR code: (1) Open the default Camera app, point it at the QR code, and tap the pop-up link; (2) Swipe down from the top of your screen to open Quick Settings and tap 'Scan QR code'; or (3) Use our online scanner in Chrome to decode saved gallery screenshots without installing third-party apps.
How to scan QR code on iPhone?
On an iPhone or iPad: (1) Open the native iOS Camera app and hold your device so the QR code appears in the viewfinder, then tap the yellow banner; (2) Add the 'Code Scanner' shortcut to your iOS Control Center; or (3) In the Photos app, open any QR code screenshot and tap the Live Text icon in the bottom-right corner to open the link directly.
How do I scan a QR code from a screenshot or saved image file?
You do not need a second phone to scan a QR code on your screen. Take a screenshot, then drag and drop the image into our online scanner (or press Ctrl+V / Cmd+V to paste from your clipboard). The tool parses the QR code directly inside your browser memory.
Is my uploaded image or camera feed sent to any server?
No. All barcode detection and image processing run 100% locally in your web browser using HTML5 Canvas and the jsQR matrix library. No photos, camera video streams, or decoded data leave your device.
How to scan Wi-Fi QR code and connect?
When a Wi-Fi QR code is scanned, the scanner automatically parses the Network Name (SSID), Encryption Type (WPA/WPA2/WEP), and reveals the Wi-Fi password with a 1-click 'Copy Wi-Fi Password' button.
Why is my QR code not scanning?
Ensure the QR code is in focus, has sufficient lighting, high contrast between light and dark modules, and that all three corner positioning squares (finder patterns) are clearly visible and not cropped.