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How to Scan a QR Code Using the Camera on the iPhone or the iPad

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In iOS 11, the native camera app includes functionality that allows you to scan QR codes and access QR code content like URLs without having to download a third-party app.


Here's how to scan a QR code when you run into one:

  1. Open the Camera app on the iPhone or iPad.
  2. Make sure you have adequate lighting so the camera can pick up the QR code.
  3. Align the camera with the QR code.

That's all there is to it. From there, the camera will read the QR code and provide you with a notification to access whatever it contains.

QR codes can include contact information, calendar events, website links, phone numbers, email addresses, Wi-Fi information, and more, so they can be pretty handy, and it's nice to have the built-in scanning feature available when you need it.

Top Rated Comments

Michael Scrip Avatar
Michael Scrip
108 months ago
This should have happened a LONG time ago.

I remember having to download "Red Laser" or something on my iPhone 4S

Of course I knew what to do... but the average person? Nope.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I
IHelpId10t5
108 months ago
I hope the notification includes displaying the actual URL before navigating to it. The singificant problem with QR codes (and shortened URLs) is that they are handy for masking a malicious destination from unsuspecting click-happy smartphone users that have no care for their own security.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
dannyyankou
108 months ago
This is useful for joining WiFi networks.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rlarsen_eu Avatar
rlarsen_eu
108 months ago
Yes can auto QR recognition be disabled?
1: Go to the Settings app on iPhone, iPad

2: Scroll down and tap on Camera

3: Find [B]Scan QR codes[/B] and disabled it.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
N
neliason
108 months ago
I’m glad they implemented this but I don’t really bother with QR codes anymore. The ideal of them being handy didn’t work for me when you had to pull out your phone, type in a passcode, and find an app. Now with face and fingerprint unlock and the camera app more easily accessible it is finally useful. But I don’t notice as many codes (the rage seems to have died down) and I have it in my mind to ignore them.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sracer Avatar
sracer
108 months ago
Or more's the point, QR codes have been out for years. Why has it taken Apple this long to provide this functionality?
"Here at Apple we pride ourselves in the painstaking attention to detail. To ensure the highest quality of QR code capturing and processing, we deployed our digital imagery artisans to expertly craft each code to attain the high quality we require. Only when we were satisfied with the results did we deploy QR code scanning technology in our camera."
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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