# QR code scanner **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 7, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731 "2026-06-07T19:44:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DKW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dkw/32/3118_2.png) [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/1 "2026-06-07T19:44:48Z")
(Can’t _believe_ I have to ask this here… 😠) Can someone tell me where exactly the QR code scanner app is on an IPhone? I know it’s there (it shows up every time I search for it), but for the love of me I have no idea which screen, which folder, which sub-whatever to go to. (I don’t see it in the “Apps” tab under Settings.) I’m now seeing a number of medical professionals who don’t have reliable websites, so this is important. If it matters, it’s a 14 Plus, model MQ3R3LL/A. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2026, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/2 "2026-06-07T19:46:15Z")
I don’t know iPhones, but on Android, it’s part of the camera app. Open the camera, point it at something, and if there’s a QR in the field of view, it’ll show you what it says and if (as is likely) it’s a link, you can click it. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2026, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/3 "2026-06-07T19:48:26Z")
It’s built into the camera app. When a QR code is in frame it will outlined in yellow and a hyperlink will appear. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/4 "2026-06-07T20:23:51Z")
It was a separate app about 15 years ago. Not since. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2026, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/5 "2026-06-07T21:22:04Z")
I just had to show Ivy this. Not everyone is comfortable with cell phone use like that. ---
**Author:** ![DKW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dkw/32/3118_2.png) [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2026, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/6 "2026-06-07T21:24:01Z")
Tried it just now, and that’s it. The IPhone thinks it’s a separate app when I do a search for whatever reason. Thanks all! (And _man,_ that was fast! 😲) ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/7 "2026-06-08T04:48:32Z")
That’s because there is a separate QR app, but it only lives in Control Center. Accessing it from Control Center instead of the Camera app can be a little easier/faster to use. For example, once you scan the code it will open the site automatically, you don’t have to change any camera settings (if you want to scan a code in the camera, but you last used the camera in video mode, you’d have to switch it to photo mode first) and the Control Center version lets you turn on the flashlight to help you scan the code. You can’t really have the flashlight on in the Camera app. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/8 "2026-06-08T14:05:18Z")
If you have one of the newer iPhones with the dedicated camera button on the lower right, a regular press of that button opens the camera app, but a long press of the button opens the ‘what am I looking at’ tool, which is handy for identifying all sorts of things, including QR code links. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/9 "2026-06-08T14:18:56Z")
On Android, individual apps may also use the camera for QRs and other images. I’ve recently rented a van via Turo and used their app to photograph my drivers lic. And Signal has had me scan QR codes before. That integration makes it easy to overlook or forget you can use the regular ol’ camera app. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/10 "2026-06-08T15:01:56Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > If you have one of the newer iPhones with the dedicated camera button on the lower right, a regular press of that button opens the camera app, but a long press of the button opens the ‘what am I looking at’ tool, which is handy for identifying all sorts of things, including QR code links. This doesn’t work for me. One click opens the camera. Long press opens the camera when I release. iPhone 16Pro. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/11 "2026-06-08T15:25:11Z")
I think you’re describing the iPhone “[action button](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-and-customize-the-action-button-iphe89d61d66/ios).” What it does is definable; it can turn on the flashlight, go to silent mode, turn on focus mode, etc. Opening the camera is only one option. BTW, as said, the camera app will know how to handle the QR code. Usually, that means opening the browser (Chrome in my case) and pulling up a webpage. But QR codes can do various things. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/12 "2026-06-08T15:28:39Z")
> [@DKW](#): > > Thanks all! (And _man,_ that was fast! 😲) Oh, yeah! When I saw there were already 11 responses, I didn’t bother posting an answer. I knew I was too late because these people are too smart. LOL ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/13 "2026-06-08T15:30:34Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > This doesn’t work for me. One click opens the camera. Long press opens the camera when I release. > > iPhone 16Pro. Interesting. Same phone as what I have. What version of iOS do you have? When I hold on the camera button, it brings up a camera-like interface, but with the controls at the bottom changing to “Ask” and “Search”. I use that feature dozens on times while on long walk/hikes because it identifies plants, insects, what have you, in real time. > **[Use visual intelligence on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-visual-intelligence-iph12eb1545e/ios)** > > With Apple Intelligence on iPhone, use visual intelligence to learn more about the places, objects, and text around you. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/14 "2026-06-08T15:31:29Z")
I had never actually used the action button until just now. When I need to read a QR code, I would go to the camera app in what is apparently the hard way which is a couple extra steps. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/15 "2026-06-08T15:33:10Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I don’t know iPhones, but on Android, it’s part of the camera app. Open the camera, point it at something, and if there’s a QR in the field of view, it’ll show you what it says and if (as is likely) it’s a link, you can click it. Yup. Weirdly fast and good at seeing them too. I have an Android (Pixel 10 Pro) and I open the camera app and only barely swing the QR code into view and it has it instantly. Just barely getting the code in frame and it works. No fuss. I do remember when you needed an app for this but those days are long gone. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/16 "2026-06-08T15:34:35Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I think you’re describing the iPhone “[action button](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-and-customize-the-action-button-iphe89d61d66/ios).” What it does is definable; it can turn on the flashlight, go to silent mode, turn on focus mode, etc. Opening the camera is only one option. Nope. The action button is in the upper left and functions as you described. I’m talking about the touch sensitive camera control button on the bottom right that not only opens the camera (and Visual Intelligence with a long press) but also allows you to swipe through settings as you shoot. > **[Use the Camera Control on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-the-camera-control-iph0c397b154/ios)** > > Use the Camera Control to quickly open Camera and access common camera settings. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/17 "2026-06-08T15:42:48Z")
Ok, well it was the first time I used the large bottom button that isn’t the action button. My iOS is up to date (26.5). A short press and a long press do the same thing, open up the regular camera app when it’s released. The difference is the long press opens it video mode as opposed to photo mode. That sounds like a fun feature. It must be something in the settings. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/18 "2026-06-08T15:50:09Z")
I had Apple Intelligence turned off so it was never activated. It’s downloading now. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/19 "2026-06-08T16:05:02Z")
That fixed it. I never activated Apple Intelligence. It’s now ready to go with Siri turned off. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731/20 "2026-06-08T16:09:23Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > I think you’re describing the iPhone “[action button](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-and-customize-the-action-button-iphe89d61d66/ios).” What it does is definable; it can turn on the flashlight, go to silent mode, turn on focus mode, etc. Opening the camera is only one option. > > Nope. The action button is in the upper left and functions as you described. I’m talking about the touch sensitive camera control button on the bottom right that not only opens the camera (and Visual Intelligence with a long press) but also allows you to swipe through settings as you shoot. Wow. I completely got that wrong. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qr-code-scanner/1030731.md?page=2)