How to Scan a WiFi QR Code on Android

Updated: 2026-11-03 · 7 min read

Someone hands you a card with a WiFi QR code, you open your Android camera and... nothing. The code is fine. Android just hides its WiFi scanner in a few different places depending on your phone.

Before you scan: check your Android version

Built-in WiFi QR scanning arrived with Android 10 in 2019. Phones running Android 10 or newer have a scanner inside the WiFi settings, and most of them also detect WiFi codes in the camera. To check your version, open Settings > About phone > Android version (on Samsung, Settings > About phone > Software information).

If your phone is older, skip to Method 5, a scanner app.

Method 1: Scan from WiFi settings (works on almost every Android 10+ phone)

This is the most reliable method because it is part of Android itself, not the camera app.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Network & internet, then Internet (on older Pixels and many other phones, Wi-Fi).
3. Scroll to the bottom of the network list and find Add network.
4. Tap the small QR code icon to the right of "Add network".
5. A scanner opens. Point it at the code, keeping the whole square inside the frame.
6. Android reads the code and joins the network automatically.

On Samsung Galaxy phones the path is Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi, then tap the QR icon at the top right of the Wi-Fi screen (on some One UI versions it sits next to "Add network" instead).

On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones the WiFi screen usually has a "Tap to share password" option on your own network and a scan icon on the WiFi page; on others the scanner is inside the built-in Scanner app.

Method 2: Use the Camera app

Many camera apps detect QR codes automatically:

• Google Pixel: open the Camera, point it at the code and wait a second. A chip appears; tap it to connect. If nothing appears, open Camera settings and make sure Google Lens suggestions are on.
• Samsung Galaxy: open the Camera in Photo mode and point it at the code. Tap the yellow pop-up. If it never appears, go to Camera settings and enable Scan QR codes.
• OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Vivo, Motorola: most recent models detect codes in the camera or offer a scan button in Lens mode. Settings names vary, so look for "QR code" or "Smart scan" in camera settings.

Hold the phone 15–30 cm from the code, keep it steady and avoid glare. You don't have to tap the shutter.

Method 3: Google Lens

Google Lens is built into the Google app and often into the camera.

1. Open the Google app and tap the camera icon in the search bar, or open the standalone Lens app.
2. Point at the WiFi QR code.
3. Tap Join network when Lens shows the network name.

Lens is also handy if the code is in a screenshot or photo: open Lens, pick the image from your gallery and it will read the code from the picture. You can do the same from Google Photos by opening the image and tapping Lens.

Method 4: Quick Settings tile

Some phones, including recent Pixels and many Samsungs, offer a Scan QR code tile in Quick Settings. Swipe down twice from the top of the screen, tap the pencil (edit) icon, and drag the QR tile into your active tiles. After that you can scan from any screen in two swipes.

Method 5: A dedicated scanner app

A dedicated app is useful when your phone is older, your camera app does not detect WiFi codes, or you want extra features. Wifi QR Connect for Android scans WiFi QR codes, keeps a scan history stored locally on your device, and can also create WiFi QR codes from an SSID, security type and password. It includes hotspot sharing with a QR code, a download and upload speed test, and a view of your current WiFi connection info, which helps if you want to check the signal right after joining.

Whatever app you choose, look for one that shows the network details before connecting, so you know exactly what you are joining.

What happens after scanning

When Android reads a valid code it will either connect directly (WiFi settings scanner) or show a prompt such as "Connect to Sharma Home" (camera and Lens). After you confirm:

• The network is saved, so your phone reconnects automatically next time.
• The password is stored on your phone. You can see it later from the network's Share screen, as explained in How to Find Saved WiFi Password on Android.
• If the network uses WPA3 and your phone supports it, Android uses it automatically.

Troubleshooting: nothing happens

If the code doesn't trigger anything, run through these checks in order:

1. Make sure it really is a WiFi code. Use a scanner that shows the text. It should start with WIFI:. If it starts with http, it is a website link, not a WiFi code.
2. Turn WiFi on. Some phones refuse to join while WiFi is off or airplane mode is on.
3. Forget the old network. If you have a saved entry with an old password, Android may keep trying the old one. Go to WiFi settings, tap the network, then Forget, and scan again.
4. Clean and light. Wipe the lens, increase brightness if scanning from a screen, and avoid reflections on laminated cards.
5. Distance. Too close and the camera can't focus; too far and the code is too small.
6. Hidden networks. If the code is for a hidden network but lacks H:true, your phone may not find it. Read Hidden Network WiFi QR Code: How It Works.
7. Wrong details in the code. If it scans but fails with "authentication problem", the password in the code is probably wrong or out of date.

There are more fixes in WiFi QR Code Not Working? 9 Fixes That Work.

Safety tips when scanning unknown codes

Most WiFi codes in homes and cafés are harmless, but stickers can be swapped. Joining a fake network can expose your traffic to whoever runs it.

• Check that the network name matches what staff or your host told you.
• Prefer sites that use HTTPS and avoid entering banking details on public WiFi.
• If a "WiFi" code opens a web page asking for login details, card numbers or app downloads, close it.
• Never scan a code that has been stuck over another code.

Our guide on fake QR codes and quishing covers this in more depth.

Scanning from a screenshot someone sent you

If a friend messages you a picture of their WiFi QR code, you can't point your own camera at your own screen. Instead:

1. Save the image to your gallery.
2. Open it in Google Photos or your gallery app and tap the Lens button, or open the Lens app and select the image.
3. Tap Join network.

Some WiFi settings scanners on newer Android versions also show an image or gallery button inside the scanner, letting you pick a saved picture directly.

Which method is fastest?

• Most reliable: Settings > WiFi > QR icon next to Add network.
• Fastest day to day: the camera app or a Quick Settings tile.
• For screenshots: Google Lens or Photos.
• For older phones or extra tools: a dedicated scanner app.

If you are on the other side and want to share your own network, follow How to Share WiFi Password With a QR Code.

FAQ

Can every Android phone scan WiFi QR codes?

Android 10 and later include a WiFi QR scanner in settings. Older versions can still scan codes using Google Lens or a third-party scanner app.

Why does my Samsung camera not detect QR codes?

The option may be switched off. Open the Camera, go to its settings and enable Scan QR codes, then try again in Photo mode.

Can I scan a WiFi QR code from an image in my gallery?

Yes. Open the image in Google Photos or the Lens app and tap Lens; it reads the code from the picture and offers to join.

Does scanning a WiFi QR code use mobile data?

No. The network details are stored inside the code, so scanning works offline. Your phone only needs WiFi turned on to connect.

Is it safe to scan a WiFi QR code in a café?

Usually, if the code comes from staff or an official sign. Confirm the network name, watch for stickers placed over other codes, and avoid sensitive logins on public networks.