How to Scan a QR Code from the Photos App or Gallery

Did you know you can scan a QR code directly from a picture, be it screenshot or saved image on your smartphone? For instance, your childhood friend sent an image QR code through WhatsApp, asking you to lend some money for urgent needs. If nobody was around, what would you do?

No worries! You can still send money to your friend without using another device to scan the code. All you need to do is save the code in your photo gallery and use some inbuilt features, such as Google Lens, the Google/Apple Photos app, or the Safari app, to scan the code and complete the transaction using your phone. 

Let’s explore how to scan a QR code from the photos app or photo gallery for iPhone or Android users. 

Steps to scan a QR code from the Photos app on your iPhone/iPad

Scanning a QR code from the Photo app on an iOS device is easy. Starting with iOS 15, Apple integrated a feature that allows users to directly interact with QR codes found in photos and screenshots stored in the Photos app. 

Here’s how you can use it:

Step 1: Open your Photos app.

Step 2: Scroll through your albums and open the photo that contains the QR code.

Step 3: Press and hold on to the QR code. A pop-up with a default browser will appear like “Open in Safari” or “Open in Chrome.” 

Note: If you use the payment QR code image, a pop-up will display shortcuts to banking apps stored on your phone. You can easily send money using the app. 

Step 4: Click the displayed browser to complete the scanning process. 

Read more: How to Scan QR Code on Mac.

Steps to scan a QR code from the photo gallery of Android users

Android users can scan the image QR code from your photo gallery. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open your photo gallery.

Step 2: Tap the photo QR code to open.

Step 3: Click the ‘Lens’ option to display the link.

Step 4: Click the displayed QR code link on your phone. Now, the scan is completed. 

Steps to scan a picture QR code using Google Lens

Android and iPhone users can scan a QR code image through Google Lens on Chrome. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Tap the “Google Lens” icon on Google Chrome

Step 2: Find the QR code picture you want to scan and open it. 

Step 3: Click the displayed link on the code, and the scan is completed. 

Read more: How to generate and scan a QR code on a Chromebook

Scan a QR code using a third-party scanner app

If you don’t have Google Lens or prefer another app, follow these steps to use a third-party QR code scanner:

Step 1: Search for “QR code scanner” in the Google Play Store/App Store. 

Step 2: Pick an app with good reviews and security features, then download it.

Step 3: Now, open it and allow the necessary permissions.

Step 4: When the app supports scanning from a gallery, select this option and choose the photo with the QR code. The app will read the QR code and display the information.

How to check if your Android automatically scans QR codes

To see if your Android device’s camera app can scan QR codes automatically, follow the steps:

Step 1: Open your camera app.

Step 2: Locate the settings icon, typically a gear symbol.

Step 3: Look for a QR code option in the settings, like “Scan QR codes” or “Google Lens.”

Step 4: If there’s a QR code scanning feature, turn it on.

Step 5: Test it by pointing your camera at a QR code. If it scans successfully, a notification will appear.

Conclusion

QR codes are now essential in our digital world, offering easy access to diverse information. Android and iOS users can effortlessly scan QR codes from the Photo app or gallery upon receiving an image QR code via email or screenshot. You don’t need to print a QR code to access the information, just scan it from your phone.

Frequently asked questions