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You may know how to scan a QR code on your iPhone when it's printed on a menu or placard. But what about when someone sends you a QR code in a text message or an email, where you can't physically scan it with your QR code reader? Below, we'll show you how to use a QR code sent to your iPhone or iPad.
Why You’ll Love This Tip:
- Scan QR codes that appear in text messages, emails, online, and in your news feed.
- Take a photo of a QR code (such as at a museum or restaurant) and send the image to your friends so they can scan it.
Scan a QR Code from an Image Using Live Text
"How do I scan a QR code sent to me on my iPhone or iPad?" You can scan a QR code from email or text by taking a screenshot or using the Live Text feature. In order to use the simple trick below to scan QR codes using Live Text, your iPhone will need to have been updated to iOS 15 or later. Now, here's how to scan a QR code from your iPhone:
- Navigate to the QR code in your text message or email.
![Navigate to the QR code you want to scan.]( "open email or text message with qr code to scan qr code from text message iphone or ipad")
- Take a screenshot of the QR code. For newer iPhones, press and release the side button and the Volume up button at the same time. (For iPhones with a Home button, press and release the Sleep/Wake button and your Home button at the same time.)
![Take a screenshot to use Live Text.]()
- Swipe up to close the app that was open, then tap to open the Photos app.
![Go to your Photos app.]( "open the photos app")
- Tap your screenshot to open it.
![Tap the image to open it.]( "open the screenshot of the qr code")
- Press and hold the QR code in the image. (Sometimes, your Photos app will automatically detect the QR code and scan it before you enable Live Text.)
![Press and hold the QR code.]( "press and hold the qr code")
- If the above step didn't work, tap the Live Text icon in the lower right corner.
![tap the live text icon]( "tap the live text icon")
- Touch and hold the QR code again.
![Press and hold the QR code to bring up the menu of options.]( "touch and hold the qr code")
- When the QR code is read, a menu of options will appear. Tap Open in Safari to open the QR code in your browser.
![Tap Open in Safari.]( "tap open in safari to open the link in the safari browser")
- If you want to save a QR code link (such as to a store discount), tap Add to Reading List to save it in your Safari Reading List.
![Tap Add to Reading List.]( "tap add to reading list to add the link to your safari reading list")
- Tap Copy Link to copy the link and paste it into another app of your choosing.
![Tap Copy Link.]( "tap copy link to copy the link from the qr code")
- Tap Share if you want to send the QR code link information to another person.
![Tap Share if you want to send the QR code info to someone else.]( "tap share to send the qr code link to someone else")
For most people, we recommend using this Live Text solution to scanning QR codes. However, if others regularly send you digital QR codes, another option is to download a third-party app QR code reader app, such as the free QR Reader for iPhone. Happy scanning!
To learn more about the hidden features on your iPhone, sign up for our free Tip of the Day Newsletter. You might also want to check out how to mute a noisy group text on your iPhone.
