QR codes allow for a paper-free life. Papers are everywhere, from restaurant tables to business cards and posted placards. They have been around since 1994 and were designed to replace barcodes. QR codes have evolved from their initial purpose of only being placed on boarding passes, loyalty cards, and shipping labels. They now contain extra data such as contact data, Wi-Fi credentials, links, and more.

You'll likely scan a QR code to access information to view restaurant menus and bus stop schedules or pay your businesses or friends. Many top-end Samsung phones are equipped with QR code scanning through Samsung's default apps: Camera, Samsung Internet, or Gallery. If you plan to buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 and don't know your way around Samsung's ecosystem, this guide teaches you all the convenient methods for scanning and checking the information behind a QR code.

How to scan a QR code using your Samsung Galaxy phone's camera app

The good thing about your Samsung phone is that it doesn't require installing an app to scan a QR code. All you do is open your phone's built-in camera app like you do when you take a picture. Then, point your device's camera at the QR code without pressing the shutter button.

If your phone reads the code correctly, a card appears at the bottom of your screen, allowing you to interact with the QR code's content. Tap the card to proceed. For example, if the QR code contains Wi-Fi credentials, your phone automatically connects to a network. If it's a link, it opens in your browser.

Galaxy camera QR code scanner

In some cases, the card shows additional options, which can be handy if you aren't planning to open the content immediately but prefer to save it or share it. For example, you can copy a link and send it to a friend who has trouble scanning a QR code at a restaurant.

How to deal with unruly QR codes that won't scan

If you accidentally turned off the Samsung Camera app's QR code function, use the steps below to activate it.

  1. Open the Camera app on your Samsung phone.
  2. Tap the Settings gear in the upper-left corner.
  3. Turn on the Scan QR codes toggle.

Does your Samsung phone still fail to scan a QR code? Use the tricks below to fix the issue:

  • Clean the camera lens on the back. Your phone may have trouble deciphering the code if dust or debris obstructs the camera view.
  • Tap the QR code on your screen to help the phone's camera focus on it.
  • Ensure an active internet connection on your Galaxy phone. Otherwise, you can't visit a web link or open a PDF file from Google Drive.
  • Hold your phone away from a QR code when pointing it at a QR code.

Don't take a picture of the QR code, as it's not a trigger to scan it, even when your camera has trouble focusing on the code.

How to scan a QR code from the quick toggles menu

It is the quickest way to scan a QR code on a Samsung phone. Launching the Camera app and waiting for it to scan a QR code can sometimes be time-consuming.

  1. Swipe down from your Samsung phone lock screen or home screen to access the quick toggles menu.
  2. Swipe left to find the Scan QR code option. Tap it to open the default scanner.

Use the flashlight option to turn on the torch when you're in a dark place.

Although you don't need an extra app to scan QR codes, Samsung's Camera and Gallery apps can't process locally saved images on your phone. However, the Google Lens app and the default QR scanner can help. It's as easy as opening an image that contains a QR code and taping the circle to interact with it.

In addition to scanning QR codes from local images, Google Lens can help you interact with what your camera sees, such as live translating text, getting more information on food, and letting you know what you're seeing, which is useful if you're curious about a plant's species or a dog's breed.

Google Lens QR code scanner

Downloading Google Lens isn't required to scan QR codes, but having the app on your phone can be useful if you're a curious person.

Use the quick toggles menu

Use the default scanner option if you don't want to download a dedicated app to scan a QR code from an image. Here's what you'll do:

  1. Expand the quick toggles menu and tap Scan QR code (check the steps above).
  2. Tap the gallery icon. It opens the default Gallery app with picture folders.
  3. Select a relevant image.
  4. Use the crop tool to keep the QR code in focus.
  5. Tap Done and let the app scan the code in no time.

How to scan a QR code using Google Photos

The default Gallery app on Samsung phones is packed with useful features. Still, many prefer Google Photos to manage media. If you are among them, use the Google Lens integration in Google Photos to scan a QR code.

  1. Launch Google Photos on your Samsung phone.
  2. Open a photo from which you want to scan a QR code.
  3. Tap the Google Lens icon and let it scan the QR code from the image.

In our experience, it works even better than the default QR code scanner in One UI. You don't need to crop an image, either. Google Photos is smart enough to detect and scan the code.

How to scan a QR code from Samsung Internet

The ability to scan a QR code is also available from the Samsung Internet browser. First, you'll customize the menu bar to add a QR code scanner.

  1. Open Samsung Internet and tap the hamburger menu in the lower-right corner.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Tap Layout and menus and open Customize menus.
  4. Drag and drop the QR code scanner to the main menu.
  5. Go back to the main menu. The default QR code scanner is now only a tap away on Samsung Internet.

QR codes are here to stay

Scanning and opening links from QR codes may be finicky, but the technology is here to stay. QR codes have become useful tools that save you time. Most users should be fine with their Samsung phones' default QR code scanner. The company's software skin, One UI, comes with other neat add-ons. You can read our dedicated post to explore the One UI experience.