Android: How to scan a QR code

Scanning a QR code with an Android smartphone is no problem. We show you what options you have and what you need. State-of-the-art smartphones don’t even need an additional app for this.

Scanning QR codes with Android smartphones

If Android 9 Pie is installed on your smartphone, you can usually scan QR codes without any additional apps.

• On these Androids, all you need to do is open the camera app and hold the smartphone over the QR code. The app scans and decrypts the code and displays the content.
• If your camera can’t do this, install one of the many QR code scanners from the Google Play Store.
• For example, we recommend Kaspersky QR code scanner, which you can download to your smartphone from our download page.
• After installation, open the app. Before you can get started, you must allow the app to access the camera.
• When you now hold the camera over the QR code, it not only decodes and reads the code. The app simultaneously checks the content associated with the code, such as links or web pages.

If the code contains a dangerous link, for example, the app will warn you.