How to Connect to WiFi by Scanning a QR Code

To connect to WiFi using a QR code, open your phone camera, point it at the code, and tap Join Network. On laptops, take a screenshot and upload it to an online decoder to view the password.

Whether you are scanning a sticker on a router, a table card at a cafe, or a QR code shared from a friend's phone screen, your device can read the network credentials directly. Here is how to connect across Android, iPhone, Windows, and Mac, plus what to do when your scanner only prints raw text.

How to Connect to WiFi with a QR Code on Android

Android devices running Android 9 and newer scan WiFi QR codes natively without third-party apps. You can connect using three built-in methods:

1. Using the Camera App: Open your default Camera app, aim the lens at the WiFi QR code, and hold steady for a moment. A notification bubble showing your network name will pop up. Tap Connect to network or Join.
2. Using Quick Settings QR Scanner: Swipe down twice from the top of your screen to open the Quick Settings panel. Tap the QR code scanner or Scan QR code tile. Point the camera at the code, and tap the network join prompt.
3. Using WiFi Settings: Go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet (or Wi-Fi). Scroll to the bottom of the network list and tap the QR code icon next to Add network. This opens the dedicated system WiFi scanner that automatically connects and saves the network profile.

If nothing happens when aiming your camera, ensure that Google Lens suggestions or Scan QR codes is turned on in your Camera settings. For full camera troubleshooting steps, review our guide on how to scan QR codes on phones.

How to Connect to WiFi with a QR Code on iPhone and iPad

The iPhone Camera app reads WiFi QR codes on iOS 11 and later:

1. Open the native Camera app from your Home Screen or Lock Screen.
2. Hold your device so the QR code appears clearly in the viewfinder.
3. A yellow banner labelled Join "[Network Name]" Network appears below or above the QR code.
4. Tap the yellow banner, then tap Join on the confirmation alert. iOS configures the security settings and joins the network immediately.

You can also use the Scan Code control in Control Center. If you do not see it, add it to Control Center first. If the camera ignores the code, make sure Scan QR Codes is enabled under Settings > Camera.

How to Connect a Laptop or Desktop PC to WiFi Using a QR Code

Laptops running Windows or macOS do not have native "point and connect" camera shortcuts for WiFi QR codes in their network managers. However, you can join easily without typing the password by decoding the image:

1. Take a screenshot of the QR code (press Win + Shift + S on Windows or Cmd + Shift + 4 on Mac), or take a photo with your phone and send it to your computer.
2. Open our client-side WiFi QR code decoder in your web browser.
3. Paste the screenshot or drop the image file into the decoder box. The tool extracts the Network Name (SSID), Password, and Security Type instantly in your browser without uploading your credentials.
4. Click Copy Password, open your laptop's WiFi menu, select the network name, and paste the password into the security box.

For more details on reading passwords from image files on desktop computers, see our step-by-step guide to finding WiFi passwords from QR codes.

What to Do If Scanning a WiFi QR Code Only Shows Raw Text

If you scan a WiFi QR code with a generic barcode reader or an older scanning app, you might see raw text instead of a "Connect" button. The screen usually displays something like:

WIFI:T:WPA;S:CafeNetwork;P:SuperSecretPass;;

This text is not an error; it is the standardized WiFi configuration payload. A QR code only stores characters, and standard phone cameras use a specialized parser to turn that string into a WiFi profile. If your scanner app lacks this parser, here is how to read the fields:

• T: The authentication type (e.g., WPA, WEP, or nopass). WPA covers WPA, WPA2, and WPA3.
• S: The exact Network Name (SSID). This is case-sensitive.
• P: The network password (Pre-Shared Key).
• H: Indicates whether the network is hidden (true or false).

You can paste that raw string directly into our WiFi QR decoder to isolate the SSID and password cleanly, or read the full syntax in our WiFi QR code format guide.

Understanding the WiFi QR Code Format and Escaped Characters

WiFi QR codes follow the industry-standard MeCard-like format established by ZXing. The entire string starts with WIFI: and terminates with two semicolons ;;.

Four special characters must be escaped with a backslash (\) whenever they appear inside an SSID or password:

• Semicolon (;): Escaped as \;
• Colon (:): Escaped as \:
• Comma (,): Escaped as \,
• Backslash (\): Escaped as \\

If a password is Pass;word:123, the raw QR payload must encode it as P:Pass\;word\:123;. If escaping is missed, a phone scanner cuts the password short at the first semicolon, passing only Pass to the connection manager and causing an immediate authentication failure. If you need to generate a code with special characters, our free WiFi QR code generator handles all backslash escaping automatically.

How to Connect to Hidden WiFi Networks (H:true)

When a router has SSID broadcast turned off, standard devices cannot find the network by listening to passive beacon broadcasts. A standard WiFi QR code will cause the phone to search for broadcast beacons and eventually time out with an error.

To connect to a hidden network via QR code, the payload must include the H:true; tag, such as WIFI:T:WPA;S:PrivateOffice;P:SecretKey123;H:true;;. The H:true flag instructs the phone operating system to actively probe for the hidden SSID and establish the connection.

Security Best Practices: Is It Safe to Scan Public WiFi QR Codes?

Scanning a WiFi QR code is generally safe because a QR code is simply encoded text that your camera interprets. However, connecting to an untrusted public WiFi network carries standard network risks:

• Rogue Hotspots: An attacker could place a fraudulent QR sticker over a legitimate cafe code, tricking visitors into connecting to an evil twin access point designed to intercept unencrypted traffic.
• Plaintext Credentials: Standard WiFi QR codes store passwords in plain text without encryption. Anyone who takes a photo of the printed code can read the password.
• Verification: If you are unsure about a public QR code, scan it using a safe QR code scanner first to inspect the payload and verify the network name before authorizing your device to connect.

If you encounter persistent connection problems after scanning, work through our checklist of WiFi QR code connection fixes.

Frequently Asked Questions

By Toolsque Team. Steps checked against Apple Support: Scan a QR code with your iPhone or iPad and Android Help: Connect to Wi-Fi networks, September 2026.

Explore more: Browse our complete directory of free QR tools and utilities.