How to Scan a QR Code from a Picture

When you see a QR code, scanning it only takes a few seconds. Just open your camera and focus on the code, your phone does the rest.

But what if all you have is a screenshot or saved photo, or you spot a QR code while scrolling? How do you open it?

As you might have guessed, scanning a QR code from an image will require additional steps than just pulling up your camera, but not impossible.

Keep reading this article, where we explain how to scan a QR code in a picture on both iOS and Android devices.

How QR Code Scanning Works on Photos & Screenshots

Ever taken a screenshot of a QR code or saved a photo of it, only to wonder how to actually use it? Happens to everyone.

Indeed, scanning a QR code with your camera works differently when you need to access the link behind the code from a photo in your gallery.

Once you learn the trick, you can always open any saved code without having to add an extra tab to your browser.

Why Are Saved QR Codes Scanned Differently?

When you scan a physical QR code in real life, your phone’s camera instantly recognizes the pattern and opens the link. That’s why you see QR codes almost everywhere, from making payments to accessing restaurants’ menus.

But when you are left with a photo or a screenshot, your device treats it as an image rather than an active QR code. It means it won’t automatically detect or scan it through the camera app.

Both Android and iOS phones offer a different approach, using smart tools (and you won’t need to download any app!).

iPhones have Live Text, and Android phones have Google Lens or the Photos app. These features can detect and read QR codes directly from your saved images.

Why It May Not Always Work

There are a few things to keep in mind that can affect how well the built-in features work.

📱 If the image is blurry, cropped, or too dark, your phone might not recognize the code.

📱 Some QR codes may be temporary, which means by the time you scan them, they may already be expired or changed.

High-resolution, clear, and well-lit images give you the best chance of success. Next time you are taking a photo or saving an image with a QR code, make sure it is fully visible.

How to Scan a QR Code From a Picture on iPhone

Apple devices make it effortless to scan QR codes directly from your gallery, and the steps below apply to iPhone and iPad users:

1. Open the saved photo or a screenshot with a QR code on your Photos app.
2. Tap on the photo to reveal the features at the bottom of your phone.
3. Press on the QR code to reveal additional options (e.g., Open in Safari) or click on the (Live Text) icon to detect the code.
   

How to Scan a QR Code From a Picture on Android

Since there are so many various Android devices, some of them may not have built-in features to scan the QR codes directly from the saved image.

However, with Google Lens or Google Assistant, you won’t need the help of a third-party app to access the information behind the pattern.

How to Scan a QR Code from a Picture Using Google Lens

1. Go to your Gallery app and locate the image or photo with a QR code.
2. Tap on the share icon.
3. Select Google Search Image to scan the QR code using Google Lens.
   

How to Scan a QR Code from a Picture Using Google Assistant

1. Open your camera app and switch to Google Assistant mode.
2. Select the image with the QR code from the Gallery.
3. Click on the link that pops up above the QR code.

If your Android device doesn’t support Google Lens or Google Assistant, you may need to download a third-party app.

What to Do If Your Device Doesn’t Support Scanning from Images

If your phone doesn’t have built-in support for scanning QR codes from photos, there are a few methods worth trying:

• Use third-party QR scanner apps that let you import an image directly from your gallery.
• Try online QR readers, where you simply upload your screenshot to detect the code.
• Use a quick workaround: display the QR code on another screen (like your computer) and scan it using your phone’s camera.
• Explore desktop apps if you often need to scan QR codes from saved images on your computer.

Best Practices & Tips to Ensure Scans Work

Knowing the tips that streamline QR code scanning will ensure that each photo you take will be readable on your device. Here is what helps:

• Keep the image clear and complete. Make sure the QR code isn’t blurry, cropped, or pixelated.
• Use high resolution. The sharper the image, the easier it is for your device to detect the pattern.
• Avoid glare or distortion. Reflections or angled shots can confuse the scanner.
• Align the code properly. Try to keep the QR code straight rather than tilted or rotated.
• Re-capture if needed. If your screenshot is too compressed or low-quality, take another at a better quality.
• Boost contrast. A QR code should clearly stand out from its background for fast, accurate scanning. 

Enhancing QR-Sharing Experience with Contact Co.

With Contact Co., sharing your information becomes faster, smarter, and more reliable.

We eliminate the need to take a photo of a QR code and help you network more efficiently. Our NFC-enabled wearables and business cards share your profile directly with your client's mobile browser.

With one tap on the phone, your profile pops up on the recipient’s phone, which they can save and later use to contact you.

Why NFC Technology Beats QR Codes for Instant Sharing

✔️ Instant Sharing – Share your contact info immediately with just a tap.

✔️ Tap-to-Share – No scanning, no camera needed; one touch is enough.

✔️ Editable Info – Update your details anytime, and recipients always get the latest version.

✔️ Offline Capabilities – Works even without an internet connection.

Upgrading to Contact Co.’s wearable and app together bypasses the hassle of managing screenshots entirely.

You get to enjoy a seamless and tap-to-share networking experience, while your partners and clients never have to deal with QR code photos.

Final Thoughts

Scanning QR codes from photos or screenshots is easier than you might think, thanks to built-in tools like Live Text on iOS or Google Lens on Android.

Just remember: image quality, clarity, and your device version play a big role in successful scans.

If you share contacts or links often, wearables or NFC solutions like Contact Co. offer a faster, more seamless experience that eliminates the need for screenshots altogether.

Got a screenshot ready? Try scanning it now. And for faster, more elegant sharing, explore Contact Co.’s wearables and app features.