How to Scan QR Code From an Image on an iPhone

ByJim Miller

Scanning a QR code is easy; you simply point your phone's camera at the code and retrieve the information. But what if you need to scan a QR code from a picture stored on your iPhone? Instead of using another phone to scan it, there are better ways to do it. In this article, we will explore how to scan a QR code from an image on an iPhone.

Method 1: Using the Apple Photos App

The Photos app offers a native feature to scan a QR code from an image on the iPhone. Here's how you can do it:

  1. Open the picture or screenshot containing the QR code in the Apple Photos app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap on the Scan icon at the bottom-right corner of the image to scan the QR code.
  3. Tap the QR code to take actions based on the data present in it.

Please note that this method only works on iPhone XS or later models. Additionally, the Live text feature must be enabled in Settings > General > Language & Region for the Scan icon to appear. If the Scan icon doesn't show up for some downloaded images, take a screenshot of the image and you will be able to scan it.

Method 2: Using Third-Party App

If you want a more versatile option, you can use a third-party app called Qrafter to scan QR codes from images. Here's how it works:

  1. Install the Qrafter app on your iPhone from the App Store.
  2. Open the app and tap on “Scan from Photos”.
  3. Choose an image containing a QR code and wait for the app to scan it.
  4. The app will display the information stored in the QR code, allowing you to copy it, send it via text message or email, and more.

Qrafter also provides additional options for QR codes with more complex information, such as YouTube URLs. However, please note that the app displays ads and requires you to manually open the photo inside the app to retrieve the information.

Method 3: Using Google Photos App

If you prefer using Google Photos, you can take advantage of its built-in Google Lens feature to scan QR codes. Here's how:

  1. Install the Google Photos app from the App Store and grant it access to your Camera Roll.
  2. Open the app and select the image with the QR code.
  3. Tap on the Google Lens icon at the bottom of the screen.
  4. After a few seconds, the app will process the image and display the relevant information.

Using Google Photos to scan QR codes is effortless, and you don't have to worry about ads. It's a convenient option for iPhone users.

Method 4: Using Siri Shortcut

For those who prefer using Siri Shortcuts, you can create a shortcut to scan QR codes from images. Here's how:

  1. Install the shortcut from the Apple Shortcuts app.
  2. Open the Shortcuts app, tap on the three-dot icon on the shortcut, and customize the settings.
  3. Enable the shortcut for different content types, such as images, Safari web pages, and URLs.
  4. Save the changes and you can now scan QR code images from anywhere on your iPhone.

This method even works on web browsers, allowing you to scan QR codes directly without taking a screenshot.

Create Your Own QR Code

These were some quick methods to scan QR codes from images on an iPhone. You can also learn how to scan QR codes from pictures on other devices or online, as well as how to create a QR code for any website.