More and more businesses and individuals are realizing how useful a QR code can be. But you may be wondering how to scan a QR code on iPhone 13 if you’ve never used that feature before.
If you have something physical, like a product or a piece of paper, placing a QR code on that object makes it much easier for people to see online content.
In older iOS versions there wasn’t a native option to do this with the default iPhone camera, so people had to rely on third-party apps that were often buggy, difficult to work with, or required some kind of payment.
But now this feature is free, easy to use, and you can scan QR codes with the same camera that you use to record videos and take pictures every day.
Our tutorial below will show you how to enable the QR code function on the camera, then how to scan a QR code on iPhone 13.
Can iPhone 13 Scan QR Codes?
Yes, the iPhone 13 can scan QR codes.
In addition to being able to take pictures and videos, then share those pictures or share those videos from the iPhone 13, the camera can do even more.
The QR code feature is built into the default Camera app on the device, meaning that you don’t need to use, download, or purchase any additional apps that offer QR code scanning functionality.
All you need to do is go into the Settings app on your iPhone and turn on one setting, then you’re ready to start scanning QR codes that you encounter.
Our article below is going to walk you through the entire process of scanning iPhone 13 QR codes, from turning on the necessary setting, then actually finding, scanning, and opening the link from a QR code.
iPhone 13 How to Scan QR Code
- Open Settings.
- Choose Camera.
- Turn on Scan QR Codes.
- Open the Camera app.
- Select Photo.
- Find the QR code and tap the link.
Our guide continues below with instructions for where to check and enable the QR Code scan option in the Camera Settings menu.
How to Enable the QR Code Scanner on an iPhone 13 (Guide with Pictures)
The steps in this article were performed on an iPhone 13 in the iOS 15.4.1 operating system.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone 13.
Step 2: Scroll down and touch the Camera option.
Step 3: Tap the button to the right of Scan QR Codes to turn it on.
When the setting is enabled there should be green shading around the button. I have the QR Code scanner enabled in the picture below.
Now that the scanning QR code feature is enabled we are ready to read QR codes with the iPhone’s camera.
How to Use the iPhone 13 QR Code Scanner (Guide with Pictures)
The steps in this section assume that you have a QR code handy that you would like to scan with your Apple iPhone camera.
If not, you can probably just look at some of the items in your kitchen until you find something that has a QR code on it.
Step 1: Open the Camera app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Select Photo from the horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the screen.
Step 3: Position the viewfinder until the QR code appears in the frame, then wait for the camera to scan code.
Once the QR code is in the frame and the camera is able to read it, a small link will appear near the QR code. You can then tap that link to open the linked page in the default browser on your iOS device.
Hopefully this article has helped you to figure out how to scan a QR code on iPhone 13.
Our tutorial continues below with additional discussion about using the iPhone camera to scan QR codes.
More Information on Using the QR Code Reader in the iPhone Camera App
The above instructions provide a way for an iPhone user to add code scanner functionality to the Camera app that they use on a regular basis.
If you don’t use the Camera app very often and you don’t see it on your Home screen, then you can search for it by swiping down on the center of the Home screen to open Spotlight Search, then type the word “camera” into the search field and open the Camera app from the search results.
The solutions discussed above assume that you have the rear facing camera active in the Camera app. If not, then you will need to tap the camera switcher icon at the bottom-right corner of the Camera app to switch to the rear camera. The QR Code scanner does not work with the front facing camera.
While we focus specifically on how to scan a QR code with your iPhone, you can also do this with other iOS devices like an iPad or iPod Touch.
Additional Sources
Matthew Burleigh has been writing technology how-to articles and tutorials for over a decade. He has extensive experience in information technology both in small business and as a consultant.
His articles have appeared on dozens of websites and been read millions of times.
He covers many different topics concerning technology, but focuses primarily on smartphones, consumer software, and consumer electronics.
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