From boarding passes to restaurant menus, QR codes are everywhere. Now that even small businesses are adopting them, it is a good idea to learn how to scan different types of QR codes. There are several different ways you can scan a QR code with your iPhone, depending on what you are using it for. For example, if you want to make a payment, you should be scanning the code using a digital payment app. In this article, we bring you the top 6 easy ways to scan QR Codes with an iPhone.
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Table of Contents
Use the native camera app
Step 1: Launch the native camera app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Select the rear camera and bring your phone closer to the QR code.
Step 3: Make sure the QR code is in the frame.
Step 4: Once your iPhone recognises the QR code, a notification will pop up below it.
Step 5: Tap the notification to open the link.
Camera app unable to scan QR codes?
If your iPhone’s camera app doesn’t automatically scan QR scan codes, you may have disabled the feature in the settings. Here’s how you can enable it.
Step 1: Go to Settings and select Camera.
Step 2: Turn on the toggle bar next to ‘Scan QR Codes’.
Your camera app will be able to automatically scan QR codes once they are in the frame of the viewfinder.
Use the Control Center
Your iPhone’s Control Center has the option to scan any QR code. Once you select it, it will launch the camera and scan the QR code in the frame. If you can’t find the QR code scanner in the Control Center, you can add it from Settings. Here’s how.
Step 1: Go to Settings and select Control Center.
Step 2: Tap the green plus icon next to Code Scanner.
Step 3: Open the Control Center and select the Code Scanner.
Step 4: Point your iPhone camera at the QR code and make sure you see it in the viewfinder.
Step 5: Tap the notification that appears below the code to visit the associated link.
Use the Wallet app
The Wallet app on your iPhone neatly organises stuff like tickets, boarding passes, car keys, and more all in one place. If you’re using a QR Code to gain access to any of the utilities mentioned above, it’s best to use the Wallet app. Here’s how you can scan any QR code using Wallet.
Step 1: Launch the Wallet app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll down and select ‘Edit Passes’.
Step 3: Tap on ‘Scan Code’.
Step 4: Scan the QR Code using the viewfinder.
Step 5: The ticket or boarding pass will be added to the Wallet.
Scan the QR Code from your iPhone’s Gallery
While scanning a physical QR code in front of you using is pretty straightforward, things can get confusing when someone sends you the QR code over WhatsApp or iMessage. After all, you cannot use your iPhone’s camera to scan an image that’s saved in its gallery. Luckily, your iPhone can easily recognise a QR code from any image saved in it. Here’s how you can scan a QR code from an image saved in your iPhone’s photo gallery.
Step 1: Launch the Photos app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Open the image with the QR code.
Step 3: Tap on the share icon at the bottom left corner of the screen.
Step 4: On the following page, select ‘Search with Google Lens’.
Step 5: Google Lens will scan the QR code and disclose its contents. Click on the result to view the information.
Use Google Lens
Step 1: Launch the Google app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Tap on the camera icon next to the search bar.
Step 3: Point the rear camera at the QR code.
Step 4: Google Lens will scan the QR code and present the result on the screen.
Bonus Tip: Use a third-party app
While all the methods mentioned above should be sufficient to scan a QR code in different circumstances – be it scanning a boarding pass or visiting a website, there is also an option to use a third-party app if the need ever arises. Qrafter and QR Reader for iPhone are two no-nonsense apps that simply scan any QR code, barcode, or document you place in front of them.
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Conclusion
These are the top 6 easy ways to scan a QR code with an iPhone. Sometimes, your camera app may not be able to detect a QR code due to a lack of optimum lighting. In this case, turn on the flashlight and point at the QR code again. If the same problem arises during the daytime when there’s ample light, clean your iPhone’s camera lens and try again.
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