QR codes, short for quick response codes, are pretty cool. You scan the code using your device’s camera, which retrieves the embedded information, often to share details or direct you to a website. The idea for QR codes came from a popular board game, an old game called Go. They are simple to use and work well when shared on objects, in advertisements, and even on televisions.
But how do you scan a QR code when it’s on your phone screen? It’s surprisingly simple with iPhone and Android devices. The first step is to take a screenshot of the QR code and then open the image in your gallery. On a typical Android, to take a screenshot, press and hold the power and volume down buttons at the same time. The screen will flash white to indicate capture. On most iPhones, press and hold the Wake and Volume Up button until the screen flashes. Next, open the screenshot of the code in your phone gallery.
To view the code message on an iPhone, long press the QR code to open a menu with viewing options. With Android, tap the QR code image then the Lens icon. On my Galaxy S25 Ultra, using Samsung Gallery, I see a link pop-up. In either case, you should see the QR code message or the URL it asks you to visit.
Additional tools for scanning QR codes
On compatible Android devices, you can also use Google’s Circle to Search feature to scan a QR code on your screen. To do this on newer Samsung Galaxy devices, press and hold the Home button or use the appropriate gesture. You can also open Settings and use the top search bar to find Circle to Search and make sure it is enabled. If the feature is available on your device, an overlay will appear and you can use your finger or a stylus to circle the QR code and read it.
Google Lens is another great option for scanning codes already on your phone screen and works with Android and iOS devices. QR codes are ubiquitous these days and are widely used by businesses and marketing. But it’s important to be careful when interacting with these two-dimensional data squares, as the FBI has warned Americans against scanning certain QR codes of unknown origin.
