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QR Codes
4 Easy Ways to Scan a QR Code from Pictures on Your Phone Download Article Easily scan a QR code from an image saved to your phone Written by Travis Boylls
Last Updated: January 20, 2026 Fact Checked
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Using Google Photos
|
Using the Photos app on iPhone and iPad
|
Using Google Lens on Android
|
Using Qrafter on iPhone and iPad
|
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Travis has been a tech writer at wikiHow for more than 10 years. He has also worked in technical support for Dish Network and AT&T Wireless. He studied graphic design and web design at Pikes Peak Community College. He specializes in Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and video game consoles. Travis has had a fascination with computers and technology that goes all the way back to childhood. He is proficient in all manner of software and computer operating systems. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 752,465 times. Learn more...
If you have an image of a QR code saved to your phone, you may be wondering how to scan it without using a separate device. Luckily, both Google Photos and the Photos app on iPhone and iPad have the ability to scan QR codes. You can also use third-party apps to scan QR codes of images on your phone. This wikiHow article teaches you how to scan QR codes that are saved to your phone.
Quick Steps
Open the Google Photos app (make sure your photos are synced).
Tap the photo with the QR code.
Tap the ‘’’Lens’’’ icon (or a link may appear) at the bottom of the screen.
Tap one of the QR code options displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 4:
Using Google Photos
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1 Download Google Photos, if needed. Google Photos comes pre-installed on most Android devices. You can download it from the App Store on iPhone and iPad It’s also available from the Google Play Store if you don't have it on your Android device. [1]XResearch source
You can find the search feature in the App Store by taping the ‘’’Search’’’ tab at the bottom of your screen. Tap GET to download and install the app.[2]XResearch source
2 Open Google Photos. This app icon looks like a red, yellow, green, and blue pinwheel. You can find it on one of your Home screens or Apps menu.
If prompted, log in using the email address and password associated with your Google account.
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3 Tap a photo with a QR code. This will display the photo in full-screen.
If you don't see your photo gallery, make sure you have “Back up & sync” enabled. To enable it, tap your profile icon, followed by ‘’’Photo Settings’’’. Then tap ‘’’Backup’’’. Ensure the toggle switch next to “Backup” is enabled.
4 Tap the Lens icon. It's the camera lens icon that you'll see to the left of the trashcan icon at the bottom of your screen.[3]XResearch source
5 Tap one of the options. You'll see the QR details display at the bottom of the screen. Depending on the information on the QR Code, you might be able to call the number listed or open the website in a browser or relevant app. You can also copy the URL or share it.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 4:
Using the Photos app on iPhone and iPad
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1 Open the Photos app. It has an icon that resembles a colorful pinwheel. Tap the |Photos app icon on your Home screen to open the Photos app.
2 Open the photo with a QR code. You will see a list of all your photos. Tap the photo that has a QR code to open it.
3 Tap the text symbol. It's the icon that resembles a square with lines in the middle. It appears in the lower-right corner of the image once the QR code is detected.
4 Tap one of the options in the menu. You will be offered the option of opening the URL in the appropriate app, be it Safari, YouTube, etc. You can also copy the URL.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 4:
Using Google Lens on Android
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1 Download the Google Lens app. You can downlaod it for free from the Google Play Store. Search "Google Lens" in the search field (which is located at the top of the page in the Google Play Store) and download and install it.
Google Lens is not available for iPhone and iPad.
2 Open Google Lens. The Google Lens app has an icon that looks like a red, yellow, blue, and green outline of a camera lens that you can find on one of your Home screens, in the app drawer, or by searching.
If prompted, log in using the email address and password associated with your Google account.
3 Tap a photo with a QR code. You'll be able to browse through your files (including external storage like Google Drive) to find your image with the QR code.
If you don’t see your images on-screen, tap the icon with your recent images in the lower-left corner.
4 Tap one of the options. You'll see the QR details display at the bottom of the screen. Depending on the information on the QR Code, you might be able to call the number listed or open the website in a browser or appropriate app. You can also copy the URL or share it.
Advertisement Method 4 Method 4 of 4:
Using Qrafter on iPhone and iPad
Download Article
1 Get Qrafter or Qrafter Pro. It’s available from the App Store on iPhone and iPad. They are both identical apps, but Qrafter is free with ads, while Qrafter Pro costs about $29.99.[4]XResearch source Both apps allow you to use images saved in your gallery to scan QR codes.[5]XResearch source
Tap GET or the price next to the app's title to initiate the download and installation process.
2 Open Qrafter. This app icon features a small QR code with a red (Pro) or blue background that you'll find on one of your Home screens.
3 Tap Scan from Photos. It’s the large button in the center at the top of the page.
4 Tap the photo with your QR code. You'll see a list of all your photo albums, such as recent.
If you're using the free version of Qrafter, you'll most likely get an ad at this point in the process. Close it out to continue.
5 Tap one of the options. You’ll see a list of options ether to the left or at the bottom of the screen. You can open the URL, copy it, encrypt it, share it, or view the raw data. You can also tap your default web browser at the bottom to open it in a web browser..[6]XResearch source
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Written by: Travis Boylls wikiHow Technology Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Travis has been a tech writer at wikiHow for more than 10 years. He has also worked in technical support for Dish Network and AT&T Wireless. He studied graphic design and web design at Pikes Peak Community College. He specializes in Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and video game consoles. Travis has had a fascination with computers and technology that goes all the way back to childhood. He is proficient in all manner of software and computer operating systems. This article has been viewed 752,465 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 12Updated: January 20, 2026 Views: 752,465 Categories: QR CodesArticle SummaryX
1. Get the Google Lens app from the Google Play Store. 2. Open Google Lens. 3. Tap the photo gallery icon. 4. Tap a photo with a QR code. Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Download Article Easily scan a QR code from an image saved to your phone Written by Travis Boylls 
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Written by: Travis Boylls wikiHow Technology Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Travis has been a tech writer at wikiHow for more than 10 years. He has also worked in technical support for Dish Network and AT&T Wireless. He studied graphic design and web design at Pikes Peak Community College. He specializes in Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and video game consoles. Travis has had a fascination with computers and technology that goes all the way back to childhood. He is proficient in all manner of software and computer operating systems. This article has been viewed 752,465 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 12 Updated: January 20, 2026 Views: 752,465 Categories: QR Codes Article SummaryX
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1 Download Google Photos, if needed. Google Photos comes pre-installed on most Android devices. You can download it from the App Store on iPhone and iPad It’s also available from the Google Play Store if you don't have it on your Android device. [1] 
2 Open Google Photos. This app icon looks like a red, yellow, green, and blue pinwheel. You can find it on one of your Home screens or Apps menu. 
3 Tap a photo with a QR code. This will display the photo in full-screen. 
4 Tap the Lens icon. It's the camera lens icon that you'll see to the left of the trashcan icon at the bottom of your screen.[3] 
5 Tap one of the options. You'll see the QR details display at the bottom of the screen. Depending on the information on the QR Code, you might be able to call the number listed or open the website in a browser or relevant app. You can also copy the URL or share it. Advertisement 
1 Open the Photos app. It has an icon that resembles a colorful pinwheel. Tap the |Photos app icon on your Home screen to open the Photos app. 
2 Open the photo with a QR code. You will see a list of all your photos. Tap the photo that has a QR code to open it. 
3 Tap the text symbol. It's the icon that resembles a square with lines in the middle. It appears in the lower-right corner of the image once the QR code is detected. 
4 Tap one of the options in the menu. You will be offered the option of opening the URL in the appropriate app, be it Safari, YouTube, etc. You can also copy the URL. Advertisement 
1 Download the Google Lens app. You can downlaod it for free from the Google Play Store. Search "Google Lens" in the search field (which is located at the top of the page in the Google Play Store) and download and install it. 
2 Open Google Lens. The Google Lens app has an icon that looks like a red, yellow, blue, and green outline of a camera lens that you can find on one of your Home screens, in the app drawer, or by searching. 
3 Tap a photo with a QR code. You'll be able to browse through your files (including external storage like Google Drive) to find your image with the QR code. 
4 Tap one of the options. You'll see the QR details display at the bottom of the screen. Depending on the information on the QR Code, you might be able to call the number listed or open the website in a browser or appropriate app. You can also copy the URL or share it. Advertisement 
1 Get Qrafter or Qrafter Pro. It’s available from the App Store on iPhone and iPad. They are both identical apps, but Qrafter is free with ads, while Qrafter Pro costs about $29.99.[4] Both apps allow you to use images saved in your gallery to scan QR codes.[5] 
2 Open Qrafter. This app icon features a small QR code with a red (Pro) or blue background that you'll find on one of your Home screens. 
3 Tap Scan from Photos. It’s the large button in the center at the top of the page. 
4 Tap the photo with your QR code. You'll see a list of all your photo albums, such as recent. 
5 Tap one of the options. You’ll see a list of options ether to the left or at the bottom of the screen. You can open the URL, copy it, encrypt it, share it, or view the raw data. You can also tap your default web browser at the bottom to open it in a web browser..[6] Advertisement 
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