How to Scan a QR Code Using the Camera on the iPhone or the iPad - MacRumors
Skip to Content

How to Scan a QR Code Using the Camera on the iPhone or the iPad

by

In iOS 11, the native camera app includes functionality that allows you to scan QR codes and access QR code content like URLs without having to download a third-party app.


Here's how to scan a QR code when you run into one:

  1. Open the Camera app on the iPhone or iPad.
  2. Make sure you have adequate lighting so the camera can pick up the QR code.
  3. Align the camera with the QR code.

That's all there is to it. From there, the camera will read the QR code and provide you with a notification to access whatever it contains.

QR codes can include contact information, calendar events, website links, phone numbers, email addresses, Wi-Fi information, and more, so they can be pretty handy, and it's nice to have the built-in scanning feature available when you need it.

Top Rated Comments

Michael Scrip Avatar
116 months ago
This should have happened a LONG time ago.

I remember having to download "Red Laser" or something on my iPhone 4S

Of course I knew what to do... but the average person? Nope.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
116 months ago
I hope the notification includes displaying the actual URL before navigating to it. The singificant problem with QR codes (and shortened URLs) is that they are handy for masking a malicious destination from unsuspecting click-happy smartphone users that have no care for their own security.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
116 months ago
This is useful for joining WiFi networks.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rlarsen_eu Avatar
116 months ago
Yes can auto QR recognition be disabled?
1: Go to the Settings app on iPhone, iPad

2: Scroll down and tap on Camera

3: Find [B]Scan QR codes[/B] and disabled it.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
116 months ago
I’m glad they implemented this but I don’t really bother with QR codes anymore. The ideal of them being handy didn’t work for me when you had to pull out your phone, type in a passcode, and find an app. Now with face and fingerprint unlock and the camera app more easily accessible it is finally useful. But I don’t notice as many codes (the rage seems to have died down) and I have it in my mind to ignore them.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sracer Avatar
116 months ago
Or more's the point, QR codes have been out for years. Why has it taken Apple this long to provide this functionality?
"Here at Apple we pride ourselves in the painstaking attention to detail. To ensure the highest quality of QR code capturing and processing, we deployed our digital imagery artisans to expertly craft each code to attain the high quality we require. Only when we were satisfied with the results did we deploy QR code scanning technology in our camera."
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

apple pro tell logo

Apple Launches Two Products Today

Friday November 13, 2026 2:37 am PST by
Apple is releasing two new products today, Friday, November 13: the all-new Apple HomeView and the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, both of which have been available to pre-order since mid-October. Apple HomeView: Apple's new smart home display, powered by Apple Intelligence with Siri AI, for entertainment and managing the home. Available in tabletop and wall-mounted models, it can recognize up...
johny srouji

Apple's Johny Srouji Eyed to Replace Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang

Thursday November 12, 2026 4:29 am PST by
Apple's chief hardware officer Johny Srouji is being considered as a potential successor to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang as the chipmaker's board prepares to remove its co-founder, according to Semafor. Citing a person familiar with the matter, the publication identified Srouji as one of the people under consideration for Nvidia's top job. It is unclear if Srouji has yet been approached or...
Apple iPhone Duo Early Feature

Apple Continues to Move Up iPhone Duo Delivery Dates

Thursday November 12, 2026 12:28 pm PST by
It's a Christmas miracle: some customers who ordered the iPhone Duo through Apple and received an estimated January 25 delivery date saw their delivery windows move up to December 14 to December 21 today, according to comments posted in the MacRumors Forums and on X. A few customers have even seen their delivery date move from January 25 to December 12 to December 14. Apple's online store...
Latest Stories
Apple Black Friday Starts Early: Save on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
Apple Black Friday Starts Early: Save on Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and More
12 hours ago
Top Stories: Apple's New Software Approach, iPhone Duo-Optimized Apps, and More
Top Stories: Apple's New Software Approach, iPhone Duo-Optimized Apps, and More
14 hours ago
HomeView Tidbits: Mirror, Sleep Timer, and Other Details
HomeView Tidbits: Mirror, Sleep Timer, and Other Details
1 day ago
Siri AI Still Not Enabled on HomePod Mini 2 With Latest Software Update
Siri AI Still Not Enabled on HomePod Mini 2 With Latest Software Update
1 day ago
Apple Releases tvOS 27.2.1 With Siri AI for Older Apple TVs
Apple Releases tvOS 27.2.1 With Siri AI for Older Apple TVs
1 day ago
Microsoft 365 Outage Resolving After Nearly 24 Hours
Microsoft 365 Outage Resolving After Nearly 24 Hours
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Survives 450,000 Folds, but Hinge is Weakening
iPhone Duo Survives 450,000 Folds, but Hinge is Weakening
1 day ago
Apple TV 4K Launch Day Deal Arrives at Amazon
Apple TV 4K Launch Day Deal Arrives at Amazon
1 day ago
The MacRumors Show: HomeView and Apple TV 4K First Impressions
The MacRumors Show: HomeView and Apple TV 4K First Impressions
1 day ago
YouTube App Not Working on Your New Apple TV? Here's the Fix
YouTube App Not Working on Your New Apple TV? Here's the Fix
1 day ago
Apple Meets Thai Officials Over iPhone Spyware Warnings
Apple Meets Thai Officials Over iPhone Spyware Warnings
1 day ago
Apple Shares HomeView 27.2 Release Notes With List of Features
Apple Shares HomeView 27.2 Release Notes With List of Features
1 day ago
HomeView in Québec: Apple Says Canadian French Support to Arrive in Software Update
HomeView in Québec: Apple Says Canadian French Support to Arrive in Software Update
2 days ago
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Gets Big $250 Discounts Ahead of Black Friday
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Gets Big $250 Discounts Ahead of Black Friday
2 days ago
Apple Says HomeView Sets New Record in Design-Focused Interview
Apple Says HomeView Sets New Record in Design-Focused Interview
2 days ago
Best Apple Deals of the Week: AirTag 2 Hits Record Low Price, Plus Early Black Friday Sales
Best Apple Deals of the Week: AirTag 2 Hits Record Low Price, Plus Early Black Friday Sales
2 days ago
iPhone 18 and 18e Coming in Spring 2027 With A20 Chip
iPhone 18 and 18e Coming in Spring 2027 With A20 Chip
2 days ago
King Charles to Join Elton John's Apple Music Radio Show
King Charles to Join Elton John's Apple Music Radio Show
2 days ago
Select 'Apple Home Collection' Accessories Now Available to Order
Select 'Apple Home Collection' Accessories Now Available to Order
2 days ago
Major Microsoft 365 Outage Continues
Major Microsoft 365 Outage Continues
2 days ago
Apple Launches Two Products Today
Apple Launches Two Products Today
2 days ago
Hands-On With the New Apple TV 4K and Siri AI
Hands-On With the New Apple TV 4K and Siri AI
2 days ago
Siri AI Coming to Older Apple TV 4K Models in tvOS 27.2.1
Siri AI Coming to Older Apple TV 4K Models in tvOS 27.2.1
2 days ago
HomeView Launch Kicks Off as First Orders Reach Customers
HomeView Launch Kicks Off as First Orders Reach Customers
2 days ago
Apple Continues to Move Up iPhone Duo Delivery Dates
Apple Continues to Move Up iPhone Duo Delivery Dates
2 days ago
Apple Explains How HomeView Keeps Camera Data Private
Apple Explains How HomeView Keeps Camera Data Private
2 days ago
Apple Releases Updated HomeView Software 27.2 Before Launch
Apple Releases Updated HomeView Software 27.2 Before Launch
2 days ago
Apple Adds Samsung Foldables to Trade-In Program
Apple Adds Samsung Foldables to Trade-In Program
2 days ago
Apple Sports App Now Features UFC
Apple Sports App Now Features UFC
2 days ago
Trump Says Tim Cook Should Be Nvidia CEO as Jensen Huang Resigns
Trump Says Tim Cook Should Be Nvidia CEO as Jensen Huang Resigns
2 days ago