How to scan a QR code from a screenshot
Someone sends you a QR code in a chat or email, and the phone you'd scan it with is the one showing it. You don't need a second phone: here's how to open it.
First, save the picture
Save the picture from the chat or email, or take a screenshot of the screen showing the code. Make sure the whole code is visible and not cut off.
On an iPhone
Open the picture in Photos and press and hold the QR code. On recent iPhones, a link appears that you can tap to open it.
On Android
Open the picture in Google Photos and tap Lens, or open Google Lens and choose the picture from your gallery. Lens shows what the code contains and lets you open it.
On any phone or computer, in the browser
Open the free scanner on QR Never Expires and choose the picture. It reads the code right on the page, without uploading it, then shows a button to open the link, copy it, join the Wi-Fi or save the contact.
Before you open it
- Look at the website name before you open a link, and only open links you expect.
- Be careful with pages that ask for a password, a code or a payment right after you scan.
- If someone sent you the code unexpectedly, check with them first.