QR codes are everywhere, from restaurant menus, advertisements, digital business cards, and more they have become a simple and effective way to share information. But what happens when you’re scrolling through social media or on a company's website and there’s a QR code, how do you scan it?  

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Usually, to scan a QR code, you’d pull up your camera app, but that’s not possible when the QR code is already on your phone. So what should you do? Keep reading to learn how to scan a QR code from your smartphone. 

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Can you scan a QR code from the camera roll? 

Yes! Both iOS and Android devices allow you to scan a QR code from an image saved to your camera roll without any extra apps. Start by taking a screenshot of the QR code on your device, then follow the instructions below for your iOS or Android device. 

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How to scan a QR code from a photo on iOS devices

Apple devices make it easy to scan QR codes right from your photo gallery with the live dictation button. Here’s how: 

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1. Open the picture or screenshot in the Photos app.

2. Click the live text dictation button in the bottom right corner.

3. Click the QR code and open the link. 

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How to scan a QR code from the photo on Android devices

Not all Android devices have a built-in option to scan a QR code from photos, and the options may vary depending on your device. 

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If you have a Google device, open your camera and switch to Google Assistant mode, choose a picture from the gallery, and select the link above the QR code. 

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For other Android devices, open the Gallery app, select the photo, tap the share icon, and select Google Search Image to read the QR code using Google Lens. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an app to scan a QR code from my photo gallery?

No, both iOS and Android devices support scanning a QR code from within the photo gallery. 

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My phone isn’t detecting the QR code in the image, what should I do?

While most iOS and Android devices support QR code scanning from a photo, not all devices do. You may need to download a third-party QR code scanner if your device does not support QR code scanning. 

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How do I take a screenshot of a QR code?

Every device is different, but for most smartphones pressing the power button and the volume up or down button will take a screenshot. 

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