How to Scan a Barcode on iPhone and Android: Complete Guide

You can scan barcodes and QR codes on any modern iPhone or Android phone using the built-in camera app (for QR codes), Google Lens (Android, for all formats), or a web-based scanner (both platforms, for all formats). The method depends on the barcode type: QR codes scan natively in most camera apps, while traditional 1D product barcodes (UPC, EAN, Code 128) require Google Lens or a scanner app. Here's exactly how to scan each type on each platform.

Quick Answer by Barcode Type

Scanning QR Codes

QR codes are the easiest to scan because modern phones recognize them natively.

iPhone (iOS)

1. Open the Camera app (the default camera, not a third-party app)
2. Point the camera at the QR code — no need to press the shutter button
3. A notification banner appears at the top showing the QR code's content
4. Tap the banner to open the link or view the data

Settings check: Go to Settings > Camera and make sure Scan QR Codes is toggled on. It's enabled by default, but it may have been turned off.

From Control Center: On iOS 12+, you can add a Code Scanner shortcut to Control Center via Settings > Control Center. This opens a dedicated scanning interface with a flashlight option for low-light scanning.

Android

Using the Camera app:

1. Open your Camera app
2. Point at the QR code
3. Most Android phones (Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus) display a link overlay or notification
4. Tap to open

Using Google Lens:

1. Open the Google app and tap the Lens icon, or open Google Lens directly
2. Point at the QR code
3. Results appear immediately with a link to tap

The exact QR scanning behavior varies by phone manufacturer. Samsung, Pixel, and most modern Android phones support QR scanning from the camera app. If yours doesn't, Google Lens is the universal backup.

Scanning Product Barcodes (UPC, EAN)

This is where it gets less straightforward. The standard UPC-A and EAN-13 barcodes on retail products — the familiar horizontal lines — don't trigger automatic scanning on most phone camera apps. You need one of these methods:

Method 1: Web-Based Scanner (No App Required)

The fastest approach if you don't want to install anything:

1. Open your phone's browser (Safari, Chrome, or any browser)
2. Go to barcodescanner.online
3. Tap Scan with Camera and grant camera permission when prompted
4. Point your camera at the barcode
5. The scanner automatically detects and decodes the barcode
6. View the format, content, and product information

This works on both iPhone and Android, reads all major barcode formats, and doesn't require installing anything. All processing happens locally on your device — no images are uploaded.

Method 2: Google Lens (Android)

Google Lens reads most 1D and 2D barcode formats:

1. Open Google Lens (from the Google app, camera app, or Google Photos)
2. Point at the barcode
3. Google identifies the barcode and shows product information, shopping results, or the raw barcode data

Google Lens has the advantage of also providing product lookup — it'll show prices and retailer links for recognized products. The downside is that it sends data to Google's servers for processing.

Method 3: Google Photos / iPhone Photos (From Existing Images)

If you already have a photo of a barcode:

Android:

1. Open the photo in Google Photos
2. Tap the Google Lens icon
3. Lens analyzes the image and detects barcodes

iPhone:

1. Open the photo in Photos
2. Tap the Live Text icon (iOS 16+) — this works for some QR codes but not 1D barcodes
3. For 1D barcodes, upload the photo to a web-based scanner instead

Method 4: Dedicated Scanner Apps

If you scan barcodes regularly, a dedicated app provides the fastest experience:

What to look for in a scanner app:

• Reads all common formats (UPC, EAN, Code 128, QR, Data Matrix)
• Doesn't require an internet connection for basic scanning
• Minimal permissions (camera only — avoid apps requesting contacts, location, or files)
• No mandatory account creation

Privacy note: Many free barcode scanner apps in app stores collect and sell scan data — what products you scan, when, and where. Check the app's privacy nutrition label (App Store) or data safety section (Play Store) before installing. Web-based scanners that process locally, like ours, avoid this concern entirely.

Scanning Tips for Better Results

Lighting

Good lighting is the single biggest factor in scanning success. Barcodes scan faster and more reliably in well-lit conditions.

• Natural daylight works best
• Indoor lighting is usually sufficient — position the barcode under a light source
• Avoid shadows falling across the barcode
• Use your phone's flashlight in dim conditions — most scanner apps and web scanners include a flashlight toggle

Distance and Angle

• Hold your phone 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) from the barcode for most formats
• Keep the phone parallel to the barcode surface — scanning at steep angles reduces reliability
• For small barcodes, move closer and let the camera focus
• For large barcodes (shipping labels), move back enough to fit the entire barcode in the frame

Steadiness

• Hold the phone steady for 1-2 seconds while the scanner processes
• Avoid scanning while walking — motion blur prevents detection
• Rest your hands against a surface if your hands are unsteady
• For product barcodes on shelves, steady the product with one hand while scanning with the other

When Scanning Fails

If a barcode won't scan, try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Improve lighting — move to a brighter area or enable the flashlight
2. Clean the lens — fingerprints on your phone camera reduce clarity
3. Adjust distance — try closer and farther until the barcode is in sharp focus
4. Reduce angle — hold the phone more parallel to the barcode
5. Check the barcode — is it damaged, faded, or partially covered?
6. Take a photo and upload — sometimes uploading a clear still photo works better than live camera scanning, because you can ensure focus and lighting before processing
7. Try a different scanner — some scanning methods handle certain formats better than others

Barcode Formats Your Phone Can Read

Our web-based scanner reads all of these formats from both live camera input and uploaded images.

Scanning Barcodes from Images and Screenshots

Sometimes you need to scan a barcode from a screenshot, PDF, email, or saved photo rather than a physical barcode:

1. Save or screenshot the image containing the barcode
2. Open barcodescanner.online in your browser
3. Tap Upload Image instead of using the camera
4. Select the image from your photo library
5. The scanner locates and decodes the barcode in the image

This approach works for:

• Barcodes received in emails or messages
• Screenshots of digital tickets or boarding passes
• Photos of barcodes you took earlier
• Product barcodes in online listings you want to verify

Privacy and Security

When scanning barcodes with your phone, consider what happens to your scan data:

Phone camera apps (scanning QR codes): The URL or data is processed locally. Your phone doesn't share scan data unless you tap a link that navigates to a website.

Google Lens: Sends images to Google's servers for processing. Your scan data becomes part of Google's data collection. Check Google's privacy policy for details.

Dedicated scanner apps: Privacy practices vary widely. Many free apps monetize through data collection. Check the app's privacy label before installing.

Web-based scanners (like ours): Our scanner processes everything locally in your browser. No images leave your device. We track which barcode formats are used (e.g., "a QR code was scanned") for service improvement, but never the actual barcode content or any personal data.

For privacy-sensitive scanning — personal documents, medical barcodes, financial information — use a scanning method that processes locally on your device.