RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
June 9, 2026 – 4minutes read time
Overview
Most iPhone users know that their camera can scan QR codes with ease. What many do not know is that your iPhone also has a dedicated QR code scanning app preinstalled.
When QR codes first started to become popular, you needed to download a dedicated QR code scanner app to your iPhone from the App Store. Eventually, Apple built QR code scanning into the Camera app. However, there is also a dedicated QR code scanning app on iOS that’s hidden. Let’s go over how to find and use it.
Key Takeaways
- Easily scan and open QR codes in a matter of seconds.
- Avoid downloading third-party apps to scan QR codes.
System Requirements
This tip was performed on an iPhone 16 Pro running iOS 26.3.1.
Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.
Using the Code Scanner
First, on your iPhone Home Screen, swipe down from the center of the screen to open Spotlight Search. Refer to the image below:
Nexr, type in Code Scanner, and tap the app that appears. See the image below:
Now, when Code Scanner is open, all you need to do is point your phone at a QR code. The scanner is sensitive, so you can be off-center and it will still work. Keep in mind that Code Scanner will automatically open whatever data the QR code contains. See the following image:
Next, tou can tap the Flashlight icon to turn on your Camera’s flash to make scanning a QR code in low light easier. Refer to the image below:
Now, when you tap the QR code, it will display its own data. See the image below:
Note! Some scammers and hackers use QR codes to spread malware. When scanning a QR code, make sure you know exactly what it does before you scan it. Never scan random QR codes placed in public or sent to you unsolicited in text messages or emails.
That’s how to scan a code with your iPhone using the hidden Code Scanner app! Now you can easily scan QR codes at any time.
Disclaimer
Technology is constantly evolving, and smartphone and desktop tech rarely remains static. Therefore, the information in this post is only accurate as of the date it was written. Blog posts that are older than six months may contain instructions that are no longer compatible with your device or operating system. We hope that the content from previous posts continues to function as intended. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life, where technology works for you.
Quote For the Day
Technology frightens me to death. It’s designed by engineers to impress other engineers. And they always come with instruction booklets that are written by engineers for other engineers – which is why almost no technology ever works.
– John Cleese
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