QR Code Scanner: How to scan QR Codes with iPhone or Android devices

Updated: Nov 02, 2017: You have now seen a QR Code and even how to create one. Now you want to scan it. But you not sure how to scan one or which app to use. What if I tell you that you probably don’t need to download a QR Code scanner for your iPhone or Android anymore. Maybe back in 2012. But not in 2017.

Scanning a QR Code has become as easy as taking a photo from your phone. See the video on how to scan a QR Code or read on below.

A. In-built QR Code Scanner Feature

Due to the rapid use of QR Codes in China and South-east Asia, most smartphones now come with an in-built QR Code scanner feature.

This feature is built in the stock camera app. When you open the camera app and point your device towards the QR Code, the app will decode the QR Code and prompt you to view the content.

While select devices by Motorola, Xiaomi, Lenovo, Micromax, Samsung, and Huawei have inbuilt QR Code scanner, the latest entrant is the iPhone. In its iOS 11 update in Sep 2017, Apple added an inbuilt QR Code scanner feature to its stock camera app.

So if you have one of these devices, no need to download a separate app. Simply open your camera app and scan a QR Code.

B. Popular Apps with QR Code Reader Feature

If your phone cannot natively scan a QR Code, I bet you already have an app has a QR Code scanning feature. Use can use the following popular apps to scan a generic QR Code:

• Snapchat
• Pinterest
• Google Now on Tap
• WeChat
• Paytm (India)
• Bing Vision Lens

So if you have any of above apps, you don’t need to download a dedicated QR Code reader app

C. Mobile Browser Apps with QR Code Reader Feature

Even if you don’t any of the apps mentioned above, you probably have one of these mobile browsers installed on your iPhone or Android device:

• Google Chrome (iPhone only)
• Firefox 8.0
• UC Browser
• Opera Mini
• Samsung Internet
• Bing

These mobile browser apps also come with a QR Code scanning feature. No need to download a specific app.

D. Free QR Code Scanner Apps for iPhone and Android

If options A, B, and C didn’t work for you, you can always download a free QR Code scanning app for your iPhone or Android device. There are many available on the app stores and we will help you shortlist the best one.

1. i-nigma

This one is my personal favourite, especially if you own an iPhone. If this app cannot scan a code, then the code is probably not scannable at all. Not only does it accurately decode the most complicated QR Codes, it does it at a lightning speed.

Note that the experience of i-nigma is much better using an iPhone compared to Android devices.

i-nigma is available for iPhone devices.

2. QR Code Reader by Scan

This is another good scanner application with high detection accuracy. This app has an additional feature that allows you to scan a QR Code image stored in your photo gallery. This feature is useful if you need to scan a QR Code that you have received on your phone.

This scanner is not as fast as i-nigma. But does the job well and has a much better UI. The free version is available only for the iPhone and Android devices.

Available for iPhone, Android, Windows, and Kindle.

3. Kaspersky QR Scanner

Kaspersky brings a new twist to QR Code decoding – enhanced security. The app will be able to tell if a QR Code has a malicious link or not, making sure that you view reliable content only.

Available for iPhone and Android.

4. Quick Scan – QR Code Reader

This free QR Code scanner app by iHandy has seen recently seen a major update which has pushed the app into the league of top scanning apps.

Available for iPhone and Android.

5. QR Reader for iPhone/Android

Another gem on the App Store. Allows you to scan even the toughest designer QR Codes.

Available for iPhone and Android.

That’s it. Using any of the options above, you can easily scan a QR Code to view its content. Start scanning now.