When a QR code is displayed on your phone screen, you cannot point the same phone camera at it. Instead, save a screenshot and decode the QR code from that image.
A reader that accepts image files can scan screenshots and saved images directly.
Read on-screen QR codes from an image
A QR code shown in an app, PDF, web page, or chat can be captured as a screenshot and treated like any other image file for decoding.
Crop or enlarge the QR area when decoding fails
A QR code that is too small, blurry, or tightly cropped can be harder to decode. Enlarging the screenshot or cropping around the code can improve detection.
- Make sure the code is large enough
- Avoid heavily compressed images
- Keep some margin around the code
Choose between camera and image scanning
Camera scanning is convenient for paper or another screen, while image scanning is better for screenshots and received image files. Camera access may require HTTPS, whereas image decoding can also work from a local HTML file.
Review decoded URLs before opening them
A QR code can contain an unfamiliar URL or arbitrary text. Review the decoded content first, and inspect the domain and path before opening a link.
Step by step
- Take a screenshot or save the image containing the QR code.
- Open the Browser Kitty QR Code Reader and choose the image scanning option.
- Review the decoded content.
- If it is a URL, inspect it before opening.
- If decoding fails, try again with a larger or more tightly focused image of the QR code.
QR Code Reader
Scan QR codes from your camera or saved images and keep scan history locally on your device.
Tips and limitations
- If the QR code is tiny, crop the code from the original image and try again.
- Camera zoom and torch controls are relevant only to camera scanning, not image-file decoding.
- Scan history is stored locally on the device and may be removed when site data is cleared.
Frequently asked questions
Can I read a QR code displayed on the same phone?
Yes. Take a screenshot and load that image into the QR reader.
Does image scanning require camera permission?
No. Camera permission is only needed for live camera scanning, not for saved images.
Are decoded URLs opened automatically?
No. For safety, decoded URLs are not opened automatically, so you can inspect them first.