Depending on the device you’re using, there are different methods to scan QR codes directly from your images. Below, we’ve outlined step-by-step instructions for scanning QR codes on various devices, including iPhones, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, and other Android phones.
1. iPhone (iOS 15 & Later)
iPhones have a feature called Live Text that can read QR codes from images, including screenshots.
How to scan a QR code on an iPhone:
- Open the Photos app.
- Tap on the screenshot or photo with the QR code.
- Tap and hold the QR code in the image. A pop-up will appear with the option to open the link or take other actions.
- – iPhone XS, XS Max, XR
- – iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- – iPhone 12 series (12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max)
- – iPhone 13 series (13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max)
- – iPhone 14 series (14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max)
- – iPhone 15 series (15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max)
- – iPhone 16 series (16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max)
1. Google Pixel (Android 10 and later)
Google Pixel phones use Google Lens to scan QR codes from images, including screenshots.
How to scan a QR code on a Google Pixel:
- Open the Photos app.
- Open the screenshot containing the QR code.
- Tap the Google Lens icon at the bottom of the screen. It will detect and scan the QR code.
Pixel 3, 3a, 4, 4a, 5, 5a, 6, 6a, 7, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold
2. Samsung Galaxy (One UI 3.1 and later)
Samsung Galaxy devices also use Google Lens to scan QR codes from images or screenshots.
How to scan a QR code on a Samsung Galaxy:
- Open the Gallery app.
- Select the screenshot with the QR code.
- Tap and hold the QR code in the image. A pop-up will appear with the option to open the link or take other actions.
- – Galaxy S20 series (S20, S20+, S20 Ultra)
- – Galaxy S21 series (S21, S21+, S21 Ultra)
- – Galaxy S22 series (S22, S22+, S22 Ultra)
- – Galaxy S23 series (S23, S23+, S23 Ultra)
- – Galaxy S24 series (S24, S24+, S24 Ultra)
- – Galaxy Note 20 series
- – Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold series
3. Universal Method: Using Google Photos with Google Lens (for Both iPhone and Android)
If your device doesn’t have a built-in feature to scan QR codes, you can download Google Photos with Google Lens.
How to scan a QR code with Google Photos:
- Open the Google Photos app (available on iPhone and Android).
- Find the screenshot with the QR code.
- Tap the Google Lens icon to scan the QR code.
- – iPhones running iOS 11 and later
- – Android devices running Android 8.0 (Oreo) and later