How to Scan a QR Code on Android and PC

To scan a QR code on Android and PC, scan the code via QR scanner using your device camera or webcam. You can also scan the QR code by uploading it. 

QR codes, short for Quick Response Codes, are two-dimensional barcodes that can store a limited amount of information. They are convenient for sharing information, files, URLs, and even WiFi credentials. 

You may see a WiFi QR code in restaurants and hotel lobbies. You may also see a QR code for quick payments at the cash counter. 

Whatever the purpose of a QR code is, it comes into effect when scanned. This blog post will walk you through how to scan a QR code on Android and PC. 

How to Scan a QR Code on Android?

Android devices are among the major chunk of cellular devices used worldwide. According to an estimate, there are more than 3.5 billion active Android devices worldwide. And, as you know, the use of QR codes is very common nowadays. A large share of QR code scanners are Android users. 

1. Scan QR Codes Using Android Camera App

In 2017, Google added built-in QR code scanning inside Android 8.0 Oreo. Users could scan QR codes directly through Google Lens. Then, in 2018, Google improved this feature with Android 9 Pie. Many phone brands started adding QR scanning directly inside the default Camera app on Android. 

Today, most Android devices can scan QR codes with their built-in cameras. Here’s how to scan a QR code using the Android camera app:

• Slide down from the top of your screen to open the drop-down menu.
• Slide to the left to navigate the menu. Look for a “Scan QR code”, "scanner", or "QR code (tap to scan)" item.
• If the item does not exist, click the “+” item to open an extended menu. Find the “Scan QR Code” item and move it to your drop-down menu.

• Once found, click the ‘Scanner’ item. This will open up your Android device's camera. 
• Now, place the QR code you want to scan in front of the camera. It will be scanned automatically. 

Upon scanning the QR code, the device will display the information it decodes. That can be a URL or some text. If the code has Wi-Fi credentials, your devices will connect to it automatically. 

2. Scan QR Code From Image on Android Without Camera

If you need to scan a QR code from an image on your phone without a camera, the steps are different.

• Save the QR code image on your device. 
• Open the drop-down menu from the top/bottom of your Android device. 
• Click the ‘Scanner’ item. The camera will open with the QR scanner enabled. 
• Tap the image/gallery icon at the bottom of the screen. 
• Now select the QR code image to bring it inside the scanner. 

The QR code inside the image will get scanned automatically, and you will see the information hidden inside on your screen. 

3. Scan WiFi QR Code on Android

To scan a wifi QR code on Android and get connected to the network, follow these steps:

• Open Wifi setting on your device. 
• There will be a scanner icon in the top-right corner; tap it. 
• The camera will open. 
• Bring the Wifi QR code inside the scanning area. 
• Once scanned, your device will connect to that Wi-Fi network. 

Simple. 

However, if you have a Wi-Fi QR code image on your device and are unable to perform a real-time scan, use an online WiFi QR code scanner. 

4. Scan QR Code Using Online QR Code Scanner

If you are on an older Android version that does not include a built-in QR code scanner, you can use an online QR code scanner instead. Most of the online QR code scanners are free. 

So, if your Android device does not have a QR scanning ability, follow these steps:

• Open a web browser on your Android phone.
• Search for ‘QR scanner’ or directly visit https://qrscanner.net. 
• Once you are on the QR code scanner, you will see two different options:
• Upload 
• Scan via Camera
• If you have a QR code image, just upload it to the tool. Your code will get scanned, and the tool will show you the information in the results. 

• To scan a QR code in real time, switch to ‘Scan via Camera’. Allow camera access if asked for and scan your code. 

And that’s how you scan a QR code with an online QR code scanner.

How to Scan a QR Code on a PC?

You can scan a QR code on a PC in many simple ways. If you have a webcam, you can use it to scan the QR code. Or you can upload the QR code image to an online QR scanner.

1. Scan QR Code on PC Using QR Scanner Online

Use this method if you do not have a webcam or QR code is saved as an image on your computer.

• Save the QR code image on your PC.
• Open a trusted online QR scanner in your browser.
• Click on the upload option.
• Select the image file with the QR code.
• Wait for the tool to scan it.
• The information in the code will appear on your screen.

This method works well for screenshots as well.

2. Scan QR Code on PC Using Webcam

If you use a Windows PC with a webcam connected, you can try the built-in Camera app.

• Click the Start menu.
• Open the Camera app.
• Point your webcam at the QR code.
• Wait for the app to detect it.
• Click the notification/popup to have the information decoded.

Some older versions of Windows may not support QR scanning. So if nothing happens, use the browser method instead.

How to Scan a QR Code from a PDF on Android and PC?

If you have a QR code embedded inside a PDF file and want to scan it using a PC or an Android device, just follow these simple steps:

• Open the PDF file. 
• Take a screenshot of the QR code part. 
• Upload the screenshot to a QR code scanner, either online or offline. 
• Get the information inside decoded. 

That's simple.

End Lines

Scanning a QR code on Android and PC is simple. Most Android phones already have a built-in scanner. You just open the scanner or camera and point it at the code.

If the code sits inside an image or PDF, you can upload it to a QR scanner and get the result in seconds. On a PC, you can use a webcam or upload the QR code image to an online tool. Both methods work well.