How to Scan QR Codes on Photos

Using Google Lens on Android

Get the Google Lens app from the Google Play Store. Many modern Android phones come with the app pre-installed, so you don't need to download it.

You cannot get Google Lens on the App Store for iPhone or iPad.

Search for "Google Lens" through the search field (shown at the top of the Google Play Store screen) to download and install this free Google app.

Open Google Lens. This app has a red, yellow, blue and green camera icon which is usually found on the home screen, in the app drawer or by searching.

Log in when asked.

Tap the photo gallery icon. This is the picture icon displayed in the upper right corner of the screen, just to the left of the three-dot menu icon.

Tap the photo with the QR code. You can browse files (even in external storage like Google Drive) to find photos with QR codes.

You will see the information of the QR code displayed below the screen. Depending on the type of information on the QR code, you can call the phone number listed in it, or open a website with a browser.

Using Google Photos

Get Google Photos from the App Store. If you can't find Google Lens, you can still use Google Photos to use Lens.

You'll see the search feature in the search tab at the bottom of the screen. Tap Get to download and install this free Google app.

While this is the only way for iPhone or iPad users to use Google Lens to read QR codes, Android phone and tablet users can still use this method along with directly using the Google Lens app.

Open Google Photos. This is an app with a red, yellow, green and blue pinwheel icon commonly found on the home screen.

Log in when asked.

Tap the photo with the QR code. If you don't see your photo gallery, make sure you have Back up & sync turned on in ☰ > Settings > Back up & sync. You can learn how to use Google Photos for more details on installing the app.

Tap the Lens icon. It's the camera lens icon to the left of the trash can icon at the bottom of the screen.

You will see the information of the QR code displayed at the bottom of the screen. Depending on the type of information on the QR code, you can call the phone number listed in it, or open a website with a browser.

Use Qrafter on iPhone and iPad

Download Qrafter or Qrafter Pro from the App Store. Both apps are the same, but Qrafter is free to use and has ads, and Qrafter Pro costs 3.99 US dollars (about 90 thousand VND). Both of these apps allow scanning QR codes on photos stored in the gallery.

Tap Get or Purchase next to the app name to begin the download and installation process.

Open Qrafter. This is an app with a small QR code icon on a red (Pro version) or blue background and is usually found on the home screen.

Tap Scan from Photo Albums . You'll see this option below the large camera icon.

Tap to select a photo with a QR code. You'll see a list of all photo albums, such as recent photo albums.

If using the free version of Qrafter, you will see ads at this time. Please close the ad to continue.

You will see the information of the QR code displayed on the screen. You can share, favorite or delete this information.

Using Barcode Scanner on Android

Download Android Rock's Barcode Scanner from the Google Play Store. Barcode Scanner is a highly rated free app and has many downloads on the app store.

Type "Barcode Scanner by AndroidRock" in the search bar at the top of the screen, then tap the result whose developer is "AndroidRock", and select Install.

Open Barcode Scanner. It's an app with a QR code and barcode icon juxtaposed with the camera lens in the middle, and you'll usually find it on the home screen, in the app drawer, or by searching.

Tap Scan Image . You will see this box on the right side of the screen.

Tap to choose where to save the photo. You can access it using Google Drive (if you have it set up), and you'll see a Recent Images folder.

You can tap a photo or a folder.

Drag the yellow dots to highlight the QR code (if required). If the app can read the QR code right away, you'll see the code's contents show up on the screen.

You can drag and drop the yellow dots to highlight the QR code if the app can't recognize the code on the business card.

Depending on the code type, you will have the option of making a call to the number listed there or opening the website in your browser. These buttons are at the bottom of the screen.

David Pac

Update 08 March 2022