The iPhone can read a QR code from a photo or screenshot without any extra app, but the feature isn't obvious. Whether the code arrived in a message, a screenshot, or your camera roll, here are the built-in ways to open it on iOS.
From the Photos App
Open the image containing the code in Photos. On recent iOS versions, the phone detects the code and shows a button or link you can tap to open it. If you see a highlighted area over the code, tap it to follow the link.
Using Live Text
iOS Live Text recognizes content inside images. Open the picture, and if a code is present, a small indicator often appears, tap it to reveal the linked destination. This works for codes saved in your library or received from others.
Through the Photos Picker in a Scanner
If the built-in detection misses the code, open a QR scanner and look for an option to choose a photo from your library rather than using the live camera. It then reads the code from the selected image.
When It Won't Open
If nothing happens, the code may be too small or unclear in the image. Zoom in to confirm the whole code is visible, or try a higher-resolution version. A crisp code, such as one exported from a good QR generator, is detected far more reliably.
FAQ
Common questions are answered in the FAQ section below.