When somebody texts you a QR code to your phone, are you tempted to say “Hey dummy, how am I supposed to scan this QR code with my phone when the QR code is ON my phone?”? It can be really frustrating. This happens often in the context of someone texting you the info for you to send them a payment, such as through Venmo. However, it may be that they know this trick to scanning a QR code with your phone when the QR code is on your phone.
Now, our directions for how to scan a QR code that is on your phone for iPhone are from our direct experience, in other words we were able to test it, because we have iPhones here. The directions for how to follow a QR code that is on your phone with an Android phone are based on research that we have done for you, but not from personal experience.
How to Scan a QR Code with Your iPhone When the QR Code is ON Your iPhone
Scanning a QR code with your iPhone when the QR code is on your iPhone is actually incredibly easy to do; however as with many things about the iPhone, and Apple devices in general, it’s just not so easy to discover how to do it.
To scan a QR code on your iPhone, with your iPhone, take a screenshot of the QR code.
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Now go to the screenshot, and long-press on the QR code in the screenshot. A menu will pop up which includes the QR code action, in this case going to and opening Venmo.
How to Scan a QR Code with Your Android Phone When the QR Code is ON Your Android Phone
As we mention above, our info about how to scan a QR code when it’s on your Android phone is the result of our researching it for you. The most comprehensive and current information we found comes from a Reddit user with the handle ‘lameusernamesrock’ (and indeed they do).
In his Reddit post, lameusernamesrock explains “Take a screen capture of the QR code. Then launch the Google app. Then click on the camera/photo icon near the search bar, or click on the link to “search inside photo from your camera roll”. Then select the image from your camera roll by tapping on it. Then, in Google Lens, tap your image. Tapping the first time will bring up option to crop. Then just tap the image again, where the QR code is. This should crop it automatically for you. If not, then just manually crop it. Then you will see options to “copy URL” or tap “website” to go to the website. (done on an iPhone SE 2022) Alternatively, just tap and hold on the photo in your camera roll right from your phone and you’ll get an option to copy the link.”
The Internet Patrol is completely free, and reader-supported. Your tips via CashApp, Venmo, or Paypal are appreciated! Receipts will come from ISIPP.
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