How to Connect to Wi-Fi with a QR Code

How to scan a Wi-Fi QR code on Android

On most modern Android devices:

1. Open the Camera app.

2. Point the camera at the Wi-Fi QR code.

3. Wait for the network prompt to appear.

4. Tap the prompt to connect.

On some devices, QR codes are read through Google Lens or a separate scanner app rather than the Camera app itself.

Android also lets you share a saved Wi-Fi network as a QR code on supported devices. On Pixel and stock Android, go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet, tap the settings (gear) icon next to your network, then tap Share. Menus can vary by manufacturer and Android version.

If your camera doesn't recognize the code, go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet > Add network, then tap the QR icon to scan it there.

How to scan a Wi-Fi QR code on iPhone or iPad

1. Open the Camera app.

2. Hold the device so the QR code is visible in the camera frame.

3. Tap the notification that appears.

4. Confirm that you want to join the network.

You can also use Apple's Code Scanner from the Control Center. If it isn't there, open Control Center, tap the + in the top-left corner, tap Add a Control, and choose Code Scanner.

No dedicated QR scanner app should be necessary on a current iPhone or iPad for normal QR scanning.

How to connect to Wi-Fi with a QR code on Windows

Windows 11 version 24H2 and later can scan a Wi-Fi QR code directly on devices with a camera. Windows 10 doesn't have a built-in equivalent.

1. Open the Camera app.

2. Switch to Barcode mode by selecting the button with a QR code icon.

3. Point the camera at the Wi-Fi QR code.

4. Select the prompt that appears.

5. Windows opens Settings, where you can confirm the connection.

The same Windows 11 versions can also show a QR code for a saved Wi-Fi network. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi, open the network's properties, and select Show next to Wi-Fi network password. 

Windows displays the password and a QR code that another device can scan. Older versions of Windows 11 show only the password.

If your PC doesn't have a usable camera or QR scanning isn't available, connect the traditional way through Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi and enter the password manually.

Can I connect to Wi-Fi with a QR code on a Mac? 

MacOS doesn't have a built-in way to join Wi-Fi by scanning a QR code with the camera.

If you have an iPhone or iPad that is already connected to the network, you can share the password with your Mac. Keep the iPhone unlocked and near the Mac, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on, then select the network from the Mac's Wi-Fi menu.

When the share prompt appears on the iPhone, tap Share Password. This works with your own devices and with people in your contacts.

If both devices use the same Apple Account with iCloud Keychain turned on, the password also syncs to the Mac after the iPhone joins.

Syncing can take a while, and you may still need to select the network from the Mac's Wi-Fi menu. If neither option is available, connect manually from the Mac's Wi-Fi settings.

What is a Wi-Fi QR code?

A Wi-Fi QR code lets you join a Wi-Fi network by scanning it instead of picking the network and typing the password.

The code holds the details your device needs to connect. That usually includes:

• Network name (SSID): the name of the Wi-Fi network
• Password: the Wi-Fi password
• Security type: the kind of protection the network uses, such as WPA2 or WPA3

When you scan the code, your device reads these details and asks if you want to connect.

The QR code doesn't give you the internet by itself. It only passes the Wi-Fi details to your device. You still need to be close enough to the network to connect.

What's actually inside a Wi-Fi QR code?

Behind the black-and-white squares, a Wi-Fi QR code is just a short line of text in a set format that your device knows how to read.

Here's an example:

WIFI:T:WPA;S:GuestNetwork;P:ExamplePassword;;

In this example:

• T is the security type.
• S is the network name.
• P is the password.

You don't need to write this text yourself. A Wi-Fi QR code generator does it for you.

Why use a Wi-Fi QR code?

Long Wi-Fi passwords are hard to type, and one wrong character stops the connection. With a Wi-Fi QR code, guests scan it, tap the prompt, and connect.

• It saves time. Staff doesn't have to keep giving out the password.
• You can keep a strong password. It doesn't matter how hard it is to type.
• It avoids typing mistakes. No mixing up "0" and "O," or "l" and "1."
• It works on most devices. Android phones, iPhones, iPads, and recent Windows 11 PCs can scan it with the built-in camera.

Where should you display a Wi-Fi QR code?

Where you put a QR code affects whether people scan it. Poor placement is one of the most common QR code problems, affecting 25% of users. This is based on our survey of 1,548 respondents across the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

To avoid this, put the code where people naturally look for internet access.

• At home: A fridge, guest room, living room, or another convenient spot saves you from having to repeat the password whenever someone visits.
• Cafés and restaurants: Put it on menus, table tents, counters, receipts, or signage. A separate guest network is preferable to sharing the network used by business systems.
• Hotels: Place Wi-Fi QR codes at reception and inside guest rooms, especially near desks or bedside information.
• Offices: Reception areas and meeting rooms are useful locations for guest-network access. Avoid using a publicly displayed code for sensitive internal networks.
• Events and conferences: Registration desks, seating areas, booths, and venue signage can give attendees faster access without creating another queue at the help desk.
• Public venues: Libraries, transport hubs, community spaces, and visitor centers can use QR codes to simplify access to public Wi-Fi.

The rule is simple: display the code when someone is most likely to need the connection.

Is sharing Wi-Fi with a QR code safe?

Both the person sharing and the person scanning take a few precautions. 

A. If you're the Wi-Fi owner

Anyone who scans your code can join your network, and some scanner apps show the password. People can also photograph the code and pass it on.

B. If you're scanning a Wi-Fi QR code

A Wi-Fi QR code connects you without showing you much about the network first, so a fake code can go unnoticed.

How to design a Wi-Fi QR code that scans reliably

Customization is useful, but readability comes first.

1. Keep a strong contrast. Use a dark QR code against a light background. Avoid combinations where the foreground and background have similar brightness.
2. Don't make it too small. The farther away someone scans the code, the larger it should be. A code on a table tent can be relatively small. A code mounted on a wall or displayed across a venue needs to be considerably larger.
3. Preserve the quiet zone. Leave clear space around the QR code. Graphics, text, borders, or other design elements shouldn't crowd its edges.
4. Use a clear call to action. Don't make visitors guess what the QR code does. Simple labels work: “Scan to connect to Wi-Fi” or “Guest Wi-Fi — scan to join”
5. Test the final version. Don't only test the QR code on your laptop screen. Test the actual printed version, at the intended size and distance, using different devices. A beautifully designed QR code isn't useful if half your visitors can't scan it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I scan a Wi-Fi QR code from a screenshot or photo?

Yes, on most phones. On Android, open the image in Google Photos or Google Lens. On recent iPhones and iPads, open the image in Photos and tap the QR code when it's highlighted. 

Can I create a Wi-Fi QR code for free?

Yes. QR TIGER provides a free static Wi-Fi QR code generator. Static Wi-Fi QR codes don't expire and can be scanned an unlimited number of times.

Does a Wi-Fi QR code reveal my password?

Potentially, yes. The credentials are encoded inside the QR code rather than made invisible. Someone with access to the QR code may be able to decode its contents. For public-facing applications, use a separate guest network instead of your private or internal Wi-Fi network.

What happens if I change my Wi-Fi password?

You'll need to generate a new Wi-Fi QR code containing the new credentials. A static Wi-Fi QR code can't automatically update when your router password changes.

Why isn't my Wi-Fi QR code working?

First, check that the SSID, password, and security type are correct. Then make sure the QR code has sufficient contrast, isn't damaged or blurry, and is large enough to scan. Also, check whether the device you're using supports Wi-Fi QR connections.

Do I need a QR scanner app to connect to Wi-Fi?

Usually not. Modern Android devices and iPhones include native QR scanning capabilities. Supported Windows computers can also scan QR codes through the Camera app. Older devices may require another method.

Does scanning a Wi-Fi QR code automatically connect to the internet?

The QR code provides the credentials for joining the Wi-Fi network. Your device will typically ask you to confirm the connection. Internet access still depends on the Wi-Fi network itself having a working internet connection.

Create a Wi-Fi QR code with QR TIGER

QR TIGER includes a dedicated Wi-Fi QR code generator for turning a network's SSID, password, and security settings into a scannable code.

Wi-Fi QR codes are available as free static QR codes, so they don't expire or impose a scan limit. You can also customize the code with colors, patterns, frames, and a logo, then download it in PNG or SVG format.

For a home network, that may simply mean printing a small card for visitors.

For businesses, the better implementation is to pair the QR code with a dedicated guest network, clear "Scan to connect" messaging, and signage placed exactly where customers need internet access.