How to scan a qr code from a screenshot iphone

QR Codes are omnipresent. From the billing counters of malls and supermarkets to medical reports, you can find them everywhere.

Their usage has increased greatly over the last decade. According to a survey by Bluebite, the change in QR Code usage was seen as followers from 2018 to 2020:

• 96% surge in QR Code reach
• 98% rise in the number of interactions per object
• 94% increase in the number of interactions with QR Codes

The massive rise in the number of interactions is pretty interesting. Why? Because it clearly shows that many users are scanning the same QR Code more than once.

Ever since the pandemic, QR codes have become even more famous due to their contactless nature. Hence, it is safe to say that the world is now painted with QR Codes!

You have seen a QR Code too and you want to scan it. It could be to make a payment, access a document, verify your identity for official purposes, etc.

But here’s the thing—you don’t want to scan the QR Code with its image in front of you. You rather want to scan it from an image or screenshot in your phone’s gallery. In this article, we will discuss how to scan a QR Code from a screenshot in three different ways.

Before we proceed, let’s see how QR Code scanning works.

Contents hide

A. How is a QR Code scanned

B. How to scan a QR Code from a screenshot

1. Using Google Lens

2. Using a third-party scanners

3. Using a pre-existing app on your smartphone

A. How is a QR Code scanned

A QR Code has the following major elements that play a crucial role in its scannability:

Position markers: These are the three large eye-like square-shaped structures at the corners of the QR Code. These patterns indicate the direction in which the QR Code is placed. Because of position markers, you can scan the QR Codes at any angle—360 degrees scannability.

Alignment marker: This is the fourth square-shaped structure that looks like QR Code’s eye. However, it’s much smaller and is located within the data matrix. It helps scanners identify the orientation of QR Code image.

Quiet zone: It is the margin around the QR Code. It is very important for the scannability. Why? Because it helps the scanners differentiate between the QR Code from its surroundings.

Data modules: These make the central part of the QR Code where all the data is stored.

All these elements are important for a QR Code to scan well. Scanners spot these elements and decode the data stored in the data modules. To understand how it works in detail, you can go through this quick video:

B. How to scan a QR Code from a screenshot

There are three ways to scan a QR code using a screenshot or image in your gallery:

1. Using Google Lens

Google Lens is one of the most innovative services of Google. It is commonly called the search engine of the real world.

Basically, when you’re not sure how to describe something in words, Google Lens helps you use your camera to search for it.

All you need to do is open the Google Lens application on your phone and launch it open in front of the object/image to be scanned. It brings you the related results in seconds.

And this application lets you scan QR Codes too. While it can scan a QR Code image right in front of you, it can do so for a screenshot in your gallery. Here’s how:

• Install the Google Lens app on your phone and launch it open
• Select the relevant folder having the QR Code image or screenshot
• Click on the screenshot to be scanned
• Google lens will scan the QR Code and a message will pop up over it
• Click on it

That’s it. Your QR Code will be scanned and its content will be right there in front of you. Quite simple, right?

While Google Lens is the best option, there are a couple of more alternatives to scan your QR Code from the screenshot.

2. Using a third-party scanners

There are many free QR Code scanning apps present on both App Store and Play Store. In case Google Lens doesn’t work for you, you can install any of them.

Using QR & Barcode Scanner app for Android, here’s how you can do the needful:

• Install the app and launch it open
• Doing this will launch open your phone’s camera
• Click on the image icon on the top
• Select the QR Code image you need to scan

You will see the content encoded in the QR Code in no time.

3. Using a pre-existing app on your smartphone

Many payments apps offer you the feature to scan any QR Code using their scanner. Some of these apps include Paytm and Google Pay available in India.

Using Paytm for a demo, here’s how you can scan a QR Code:

• Open the Paytm app on your phone
• At the bottom of the screen, there will be a button—Scan any QR. Click on it
• The scanner will launch open. On the right, there will be an image icon. Click on it
• Your gallery will open up. Here, you can select the QR Code image you want to scan

That’s it. If you’re still reading, you know everything about how to scan a QR Code from a screenshot.

You can now try out any of the above-mentioned ways to scan that QR Code screenshot kept on your gallery in seconds. In case you’d like to stay updated on the latest QR Code trends and updates, subscribe to our weekly newsletter here:

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