How to Scan QR Codes with Android | QR Code Generator (2024)

What are QR Codes and why do you need to scan them?

QR Codes were initially developed to expand on the technology of Barcodes. QR Codes have better functionality because they can be scanned both horizontally and vertically, which comes from their square shape. Before smartphones existed, QR Codes were read with scanners for inventory management. Nowadays, the process is much more advanced because of smartphones. The process of scanning QR Codes enables you to read the information connected to them. This can be done either with a smartphone app or directly with your smartphone camera (for some newer models).

Which smartphones use Android?

Android is one of the most popular mobile operating systems, so there are many smartphones that use Android to function. Some of the newer and popular smartphones that use Android are:

...And many more.

If you're unsure whether your smartphone uses Android, you can check it by going to “Settings“ and selecting “About Phone“, or you can ask your smartphone manufacturer.

How to check if your Android phone camera automatically scans QR Codes

If your Android phone is not listed above, not to worry. You can also try to scan QR Codes without an app. To test if your camera is equipped to do this, use the following steps:

1. Open your Camera app and point it steadily for 2-3 seconds towards the QR Code you want to scan.
2. Whenever scanning is enabled, a notification will appear.
3. If nothing happens, you may have to go to your Settings app and enable QR Code scanning.
4. If QR Codes isn’t an option in your settings, your device unfortunately can’t scan QR Codes natively. But don’t worry, this only means you’ll have to download a third-party QR Code reader app (see our recommendations below).

Alternatively, you can follow this guide for how to check your version of Android.

“Now on Tap” with Android 6.0 now scans QR Codes

If your Android phone uses Android 6.0 Marshmallow, there is a feature called “Now on Tap” that directly reads QR Codes. You can follow these steps to use “Now on Tap” to read QR Codes:

• Install the Google App and open it.
• Opt in to enable now.
• Navigate to “Settings” and select “Screen search”.
• Enable the topmost toggle (“Asks Google to show you info related to what’s on your home screen when you hold the Home button or search by voice”).
• Hold down the Home button from your Android smartphone to start “Now on Tap” so that you can scan QR with your camera.

If you prefer not to use “Now on Tap”, you can also install a third-party QR Code scanning app ( see our app recommendations below).

Android 7 and below (except Android 6.0)

These versions of Android (except Android 6.0) can’t scan QR Codes without a third-party app.
Please see the below section for some of our app recommendations.

Scanning QR Codes with Android 8.0, 9.0, and 10.0

If your smartphone uses Android version 8.0 or higher, it’s a good bet that it can scan QR Codes with an app. Here are three options you can use to do so:

Google Screen Search

To scan a QR Code with Google Screen Search, you don’t need an app. You can use the following steps to scan a QR Code:

1. Point your camera at the QR Code.
2. Hold down the “Home” button and swipe up to reveal the options at the bottom.
3. Select “What’s on my screen?”
4. The short URL connected to the QR Code’s information will then appear.

Google Lens in the Assistant

This is a super-easy way to scan QR Codes without an app. To use Google Lens in the Assistant to scan a QR Code, here are the steps:

1. Hold down the “Home” button to bring up the Assistant.
2. Depending on your version of Assistant, the Lens button may automatically appear. If not, click on the row of dots at the bottom, and then the Lens button will appear on the left-hand side.
3. If you haven’t used Lens before, you’ll need to enable it to use your camera. Once that’s finished or if you’ve already set this up, direct your camera at the QR Code and it will scan it.

The Google Lens app

You can also access Google Lens via the Google Lens App. In order to scan a QR Code with the Google Lens App, download it from the Google Play Store and follow the same directions as above beginning with point 2.

Important note: For Android versions 8.0 or higher, your phone may include an update that allows you to scan QR Codes directly with your camera without having to use the above functions. The following section explains how to check if your smartphone has this capability automatically within the camera.

How to scan QR Codes with Samsung Galaxy

There are a few different methods you can use to scan QR Codes with a Samsung phone. Please note that there can be variations among versions of Galaxy and your OS version.

Bixby Vision

Samsung Internet

If your phone doesn’t support Bixby vision, you can also scan QR Codes with Samsung Internet using the following steps. Typically this app comes pre-installed.

1.Open the Samsung Internet (Beta) app.

2.Tap the 3 lines at the bottom right of your screen.

3.Then go to “Settings”.

4.Choose “ Useful Features”.

5.Enable the “QR code reader”.

6.Go back to the home search page and select the QR Code icon by the URL at the top.

7.Allow permission to take photos.

8.Direct your camera clearly at the QR Code and scan it.

The Samsung Camera app (only OS 9.0 above)

1.Swipe down to pull up your Quick Settings, and select QR Scanner.

2.Select “OK” to proceed.

3.The camera will be launched and then you can scan the QR Code.

4.If scanning isn’t working, you may need to enable it with the settings icon at the top left.

5.In these settings toggle on “Scan QR codes”.

How to scan QR Codes with LG G6

There are two options for scanning QR Codes with the LG G6. You can either use Google Lens by opening it with the assistant or open the Google Lens App.

Google Lens in the Assistant

This is a super-easy way to scan QR Codes without an app. To use Google Lens in the Assistant to scan a QR Code, here are the steps:

1. Hold down the “Home” button to bring up the Assistant.
2. Depending on your version of Assistant, the Lens button may automatically appear. If not, click on the row of dots at the bottom, and then the Lens button will appear on the left-hand side.
3. If you haven’t used Lens before, you’ll need to enable it to use your camera. Once that’s finished or if you’ve already set this up, direct your camera at the QR Code and it will scan it.

The Google Lens app

You can also access Google Lens via the Google Lens App. In order to scan a QR Code with the Google Lens App, download it from the Google Play Store and follow the same directions as above beginning with point 2.

How to scan QR Codes with Sony Xperia

Using Info-eye

1. Start your camera app.
2. Select the yellow camera icon and then the blue “i” button.
3. Focus your camera on the QR Code and take a photo of it.
4. Wait for the photo to be analyzed and then hold “Product details” and drag upwards to view the content.

How to scan QR Codes with HTC U11

There are two options for scanning QR Codes with the HTC 11 as seen below:

With your Camera app

Your phone might already have the capability to scan a QR Code directly using the phone’s camera. Follow these steps to try it out:

1. Open the stock Camera app on your HTC phone and point it steadily for 2-3 seconds towards the QR Code you want to scan.
2. Whenever scanning is enabled, a notification will appear.
3. If nothing happens, you may have to go to your Settings app and enable QR Code scanning.
4. If QR Codes isn’t an option in your settings, your device unfortunately can’t scan QR Codes natively. But don’t worry, this only means you’ll have to download a third-party QR Code reader app (see our app recommendations below).

Google Lens in the Assistant

This is a super-easy way to scan QR Codes without an app. To use Google Lens in the Assistant to scan a QR Code, here are the steps:

1. Hold down the “Home” button to bring up the Assistant.
2. Depending on your version of Assistant, the Lens button may automatically appear. If not, click on the row of dots at the bottom, and then the Lens button will appear on the left-hand side.
3. If you haven’t used Lens before, you’ll need to enable it to use your camera. Once that’s finished or if you’ve already set this up, direct your camera at the QR Code and it will scan it.

How to scan QR Codes with Nokia 8

The options for scanning QR Codes with the Nokia 8 can be viewed in two versions:

Using your Camera app

Your phone might already have the capability to scan a QR Code directly using the phone’s camera. Follow these steps to try it out:

1. Open the stock Camera app on your Nokia phone and point it steadily for 2-3 seconds towards the QR Code you want to scan.
2. Whenever scanning is enabled, a notification will appear.
3. If nothing happens, you may have to go to your Settings app and enable QR Code scanning.
4. If QR Codes isn’t an option in your settings, your device unfortunately can’t scan QR Codes natively. But don’t worry, this only means you’ll have to download a third-party QR Code reader app (see our app recommendations below).

Google Lens in the Assistant

This is a super-easy way to scan QR Codes without an app. To use Google Lens in the Assistant to scan a QR Code, here are the steps:

1. Hold down the “Home” button to bring up the Assistant.
2. Depending on your version of Assistant, the Lens button may automatically appear. If not, click on the row of dots at the bottom, and then the Lens button will appear on the left-hand side.
3. If you haven’t used Lens before, you’ll need to enable it to use your camera. Once that’s finished or if you’ve already set this up, direct your camera at the QR Code and it will scan it.

How to scan QR Codes with Huawei P30 PRO

The Huawei P30 PRO has three methods for scanning QR Codes. You can scan them directly from the camera app, from your gallery app (like with Samsung), and even directly from the lock screen.

Scan with your Camera app

Some Huawei phones (if not all) have the capability to scan a QR Code directly using the phone’s built-in camera. To try it out, follow these steps:

1. Open the stock Camera app on your Huawei phone and point it steadily for 2-3 seconds towards the QR Code you want to scan.
2. Whenever scanning is enabled, a notification will appear.
3. If nothing happens, you may have to go to your Settings app and enable QR Code scanning.
4. If QR Codes isn’t an option in your settings, your device unfortunately can’t scan QR Codes natively. But don’t worry, this only means you’ll have to download a third-party QR Code reader app (see our app recommendations below).

Scan directly from the lock screen

Another useful feature that Huawei developed for its phones is the ability to scan QR Codes with your lock screen. The following instructions will show you how:

1. Pull the function bar from the bottom edge of the display upwards.
2. Tap on the Huawei Vision symbol.
3. Scan the QR Code with your camera.

Scan with the Gallery app

Alternatively, you can also scan QR Codes within the Gallery app.

1. Download the QR code image on to your phone if it is not already saved on your device.
2. Open the Gallery app on Huawei phone, tap on the image to reveal the bottom menu.
3. Select “More” then wait for a second until you see the ‘Scan QR code in image’ option at the bottom of the menu.
4. Tap on the option to allow the phone to scan the QR code from the image.

How to scan QR Codes with OnePlus 7T PRO

The easiest way to scan QR Codes with the OnePlus 7T PRO is directly with your camera app.

1. First, open the camera app.
2. Then, focus your screen on the QR Code to scan it.
3. If the QR Code is scannable, you will be redirected to the destination specified.

Third-party QR Code readers we recommend in Google Play

Apps that you might already have but didn't know can also scan QR Codes

A list of QR Code types you could be scanning with your Android phone

The majority of QR Code solutions we’ve developed at QR Code Generator are known as Dynamic QR Codes. As opposed to Static QR Codes (no editing, one-time-use), Dynamic QR Codes have a few major benefits: