How to Scan a QR Code in a Picture or Photo on Your iPhone Screen

We'll show you how to scan QR codes that appear on your iPhone screen for free, without needing to print them off or use a second device.

It's easy to scan a QR code with your iPhone: just open the Camera app and point it at a code in the real world. Your iPhone will read the QR and present a link to tap. But you can't point your camera at a QR code appearing on your iPhone screen.

This might be a problem if someone sent you a photo of a QR code or if a QR code appears on a website. Tapping it does nothing, but you can use this cool trick to scan QR codes that appear on your iPhone screen.

Download a Free QR Code Scanner

To scan QR codes in images on your iPhone screen, you need to use a third-party QR code scanner. There are countless apps like this on the App Store—many of which charge a hefty fee if you accidentally sign up for a premium subscription.

We suggest using QR Code Reader Scanner Pro or Simple QR Code Reader, both of which are completely free to use.

Download: QR Code Reader Scanner Pro (Free)

Download: Simple QR Code Reader (Free)

Select the QR Code Image From Your Photo Library

If the QR code you need to scan is in a website or app, take a screenshot of it to save the image to your photo library. Similarly, if someone sent you a photo of a QR code, use the Share menu to save it to your photo library.

Now, open the QR code scanner you installed and tap the photo library icon from the scan page. This usually appears on the scanning tab for the app, at the top or bottom of the screen.

Image Gallery (3 Images)

Then select the relevant image from your photo library and zoom in on the QR code if necessary.

The QR code scanner will spit out the link from the QR code. And that's it!

Related: How to Scan a QR Code on Android and iPhone

Create Your Own QR Code

Now you know how to scan QR codes that appear on your iPhone screen, why not experiment with creating your own QR codes. Then you can send them to other people to share links, contact details, and more.

About The Author

Dan Helyer (179 Articles Published)

Dan writes tutorials and troubleshooting guides to help people make the most of their technology. Before becoming a writer, he earned a BSc in Sound Technology, supervised repairs at an Apple Store, and even taught English in China.

More From Dan Helyer