How do you scan QR codes on Android? | Android Magazine
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How do you scan QR codes on Android?
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Jan 20, 2025
In this article
Scanning QR codes on Android: the basics.
How to scan QR codes without a camera.
How to activate Circle to Search.
How to scan QR codes with Google Lens.
Final thoughts.
QR codes help make getting and sharing information easier. You simply point your camera to scan the QR code. But what if the QR code is already on your phone, saved in your gallery or on a mobile browser website? How do you scan QR codes without a camera? Use Circle to Search to scan QR codes and barcodes on Android directly from your screen.
Scanning QR codes on Android: the basics.
As with many smartphones, scanning QR codes on Android is pretty straight forward.
Open your camera app.
Point it at the code on a print ad, screen or other external object with a code.
Pause for the app to automatically detect the code.
At this point, a notification with the relevant details will pop up — whether it’s a website, payment link, product information or something else.
You can also access a QR code scanner via your Quick Settings menu. Simply:
Swipe down from the top of your screen.
Tap the QR scanner icon.
Point your phone’s camera at the code.
But what do you do when the QR code is already on your phone and you can’t point your camera at it? As easy as it is to scan a QR code with your camera, scanning QR codes on a phone’s screen usually involves some tricky workarounds like scanning with a second phone, emailing a screenshot to another device or downloading a third-party scanner tool. This is where Circle to Search can really help you.
How to scan QR codes without a camera.
Circle to Search lets you easily scan QR codes without a camera. This is especially useful when scanning QR codes embedded in emails, PDFs, photos, apps or videos on your device (known as on-content QR codes). To scan QR codes without a camera using Circle to Search:
Press and hold the home button of your Android device.
If you’re using gesture navigation, long-press the navigation button instead.
A Google search bar will appear on your screen, indicating Circle to Search is ready.
Circle the QR code with your finger and Circle to Search will automatically scan it, displaying the information or link associated with the code.
You can learn more about using Circle to Search here.
How to activate Circle to Search.
Circle to Search is currently available on select Android devices. While it may already be activated on many phones, it can also be activated manually. To activate and use Circle to Search manually:
Open the Settings app from your home screen or app drawer.
Use the search bar at the top of the Settings menu to search for “Circle to Search.”
If Circle to Search is available on your phone, a toggle switch will appear to let you activate or deactivate the feature.
You can also check our help page for deactivating or troubleshooting Circle to Search for your phone.
How to scan QR codes with Google Lens.
The amazing thing about Google Lens is it can detect and identify all kinds of objects, and that includes in-person QR codes. Simply point your camera at the QR code and Google Lens will recognize and display the associated information. Plus, Google Lens offers fast and accurate scanning and it can handle multiple codes at once.
Final thoughts.
Want to scan QR codes on your Android phone? No problem. You can use your camera for those in-person codes, or try Circle to Search for codes you find online. And don’t forget Google Lens, which can scan both objects and QR codes.
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