How to scan a QR code on an Android phone
Android has three built-in scanners. None of them reads an image from your gallery.
The built-in options
All three are live-camera scanners. They decode what the camera sees, not what is stored on the phone.
- Camera app — point and hold; most OEM camera apps detect QR codes automatically.
- Google Lens — works from the Camera app's Lens mode or the stand-alone app.
- Quick Settings tile — a Code Scanner toggle on many recent devices.
Reading a code from an image
Open a browser-based scanner, tap upload, and select the image from your gallery. This is the only practical route for a code that arrived as a screenshot, a PDF or an emailed photo.
On Chrome for Android the native BarcodeDetector is available on most devices, so decoding starts instantly with no library to download. Firefox and Samsung Internet fall back to a JavaScript decoder bundled with the page.
Before you tap the result
Android's native scanners open links directly. A browser tool can show you the destination first, which is worth doing for codes from untrusted sources — stickers on parking meters, flyers, table tents.
If a code leads to an APK download prompt, stop. That is the standard delivery method for Android malware distributed by QR code.
Frequently asked questions
Does every Android phone scan QR codes out of the box?
Nearly all recent ones do, through the camera app or Google Lens. Very old or heavily customised ROMs may not.
Can I scan a QR code from a screenshot on Android?
Google Lens can process an image from the gallery on most devices. If yours cannot, a browser scanner with an upload option is the reliable fallback.
Why does a QR code lead to an app download?
Because someone configured it that way. Treat an APK prompt from an unknown code as hostile — legitimate apps are distributed through the Play Store.