How to Scan QR Codes Safely in 2026

Gone are the days when you needed to download a clunky, ad-filled third-party app to scan a QR code. Today, scanning is built directly into the operating systems of almost every smartphone on the market. However, with the rise of QR code usage comes an increase in "quishing" (QR phishing). Here is how to scan codes quickly and safely.

Scanning on iPhone (iOS)

Apple integrated native QR code scanning into the iPhone camera app starting with iOS 11. To scan a code:

1. Open the default Camera app from your home screen, lock screen, or Control Center.
2. Select the rear-facing camera.
3. Hold your device so that the QR code appears in the viewfinder. You do not need to press the shutter button or take a photo.
4. Your device will recognize the QR code and display a notification or a yellow link bubble near the code.
5. Tap the notification to open the link associated with the QR code.

Scanning on Android

On most modern Android devices (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus), scanning is just as easy:

1. Open the default Camera app.
2. Point the camera at the QR code.
3. Wait a second for a link bubble to pop up on the screen.
4. Tap the bubble to navigate to the destination.

If your native camera app doesn't automatically detect the code, look for the Google Lens icon (usually a small camera icon with a dot in the middle) within the camera app. Tapping this will activate Google's visual search tool, which easily reads QR codes.

Security Best Practices: Avoiding "Quishing"

Just like you shouldn't click on suspicious links in an email, you shouldn't blindly trust every QR code you see. Scammers sometimes place fraudulent QR code stickers over legitimate ones (like on parking meters) to steal payment information.

• Check the physical code: If you are scanning a code on a physical sign, poster, or parking meter, check to see if a sticker has been placed over the original code.
• Review the URL before clicking: When your camera detects a QR code, it will preview the URL before you tap it. Look closely at the domain name. For example, if you are paying for parking in the city of Chicago, the URL should be a legitimate government or known vendor domain, not a random string of characters or a misspelled domain (e.g., pay-chlcago.com).
• Never provide sensitive info immediately: Legitimate QR codes usually lead to informational pages or standard checkout flows. Be highly suspicious if a QR code immediately asks for your banking credentials, passwords, or social security number upon opening.

By using your phone's native camera app and maintaining a healthy level of skepticism, you can take full advantage of QR codes without compromising your digital security.