How to Scan QR code on Android

QR code is initially developed to expand the barcodes. It is convenient and valuable because it can scan horizontally and vertically in a square shape. QR code...

Rahul Verma

Last updated on March 30, 2022

Rahul Verma

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He has a massive interest in the field of Tech. He spends most of his time either writing or listening to music or traveling un-seen places. Contact him - Rahver0@gmail.com

How to Scan QR code on Android

After this pandemic, one of the necessary things is to know how to scan a QR code because almost everywhere we see QR codes while purchasing items, see a menu, book travel or movie ticket, etc. It helps to make social distancing and avoid touching places that may affect you with the COVID19 virus.

There are many apps available in the Google play store that can scan QR codes and show you the results. Some are paid, and some are free versions containing many ads that may irritate you while using the App on your devices. The confusion is which is the best among all these available apps.

Scan QR code by Using Camera

If you are using Android version 9 or above, you must know of the Google lens app. If not, then don’t worry. You don’t have to install any app. Google lens first comes as an app, but it was integrated with the camera app after the Android 9 (Pie) update. Google lens can use for multiple things like search products, scanning a QR code translating any language. And its works in real-time.

Open the Camera of your Smartphone and then tap on the lens icon (circle surrounded by lines of square shape).
Now point the camera on the QR code but make sure it covers the entire QR code.
After that, tap on the magnifying icon showing on the camera screen.
You will notify with the result of the QR code as a link.
Hit on the link for the QR code results.

Some OEM smartphones from companies such as Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi, Realme etc do provide a feature along with their stock camera to scan for barcodes or QR codes. You may check for the same by going to your camera app and switching to scan/document mode.

Scan QR code on Older Android Devices

For the older versions as they do not have an integrated Google lens. You have to download it from the google play store.

Install the Google App from the play store and open the App.
Allow all the permission like Camera, microphone, and storage.
Now go to the settings and choose Screen search.
Enable the permission to search the App with the voice command or hold the home button to use the features by the toggle switch.
Now check with press and hold the home button to start the App and read the QR code.

You can install any other third-party app to read the QR code, but we recommend installing and using reliable brands as privacy is a concern. However, for Android 7 or below, you need a third-party app to scan the QR code as there is no other way to scan it.

Scan QR code by Using Web- Browser

If you don’t want to install any app or have any difficulty using Google lens on your smart devices, then here is one more trick to scan a QR code on your Android device. Some of the browsers are letting to use the QR code scan feature inbuilt into the App. For example, if you are using Mozilla Firefox, tap on the web address bar, and you will see an option of Scan under the address bar. Tap on the Scan icon and read any QR code. For the EDGE browser, tap the Camera on the search bar to scan the QR code.

If you are a Samsung user, you can activate the same option in the Samsung internet browser. First, open the browser and tap on three horizontal lines from the bottom right side corner. Now tap on settings and tap Useful features. On the next page, enable the QR Code Scanner. Now follow the above steps of the Mozilla Firefox browser to scan QR code.

How to Scan QR code on Android