When you need a QR code reader for images
- A QR code on your own screen — your phone can't scan a code it's displaying. Take a screenshot and upload it here.
- QR codes sent in WhatsApp, email or PDFs — save the image and read it on any device.
- On a laptop or desktop — no phone needed.
- Checking a suspicious code — see where a link goes before visiting it.
Stay safe with QR codes
QR codes can hide malicious links — a scam known as “quishing”. This reader never opens anything automatically. It shows you the full destination and highlights the website's domain so you can check it first. Be especially careful with codes that ask you to log in, pay, or “scan to receive money”. Read our guide to QR code scams.
Tips if a code won't read
- Crop the image closer to the QR code.
- Use a sharper, well-lit photo taken straight on.
- Make sure the whole code is visible, including its three corner squares.
- Very small or blurry codes inside large photos may need a higher-resolution image.
Want to scan with your camera instead? Use our live QR code scanner.