How To Open A QR Code From Your Phone Screen – And Other QR Code Tips

QR codes are everywhere these days; on restaurant menus, posters, product packaging and business cards. But what about those you find on your phone screen when scrolling? Here’s how to open a QR code from your phone when you can’t point the camera at it!

Part of a series of articles to accompany the FSB Bootcamp session in Derby on the 18^th of September 2025, we’ve put this quick tip on how to use your phone in a way you might not have thought of.

Yes, Yes, we don’t mean looking at a QR code through your camera

One thing Covid taught us, was how to scan a QR code. Covid in fact was the catalyst for the rebirthing of the QR code that quickly fell out of favour after having been introduced in an earlier year pre-2020.

They’re a quick way to access websites, download apps, or share information without typing anything, and Rishi Sunak’s ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ campaign put the QR code firmly in the spotlight, and we’ve embraced the technology ever since.

So, we all pretty much know how to open a QR code using our phone cameras. Just point, wait for the outline box to show up and then click the link.  Simple!

But we’re not here to tell you about that.

How to open a QR code from a screengrab or a photograph

Bear with us on this tip…

QR codes are intended in the main to be ‘of the moment’.

“Look at this poster, and book a ticket!”

“Scan the QR to read the menu and order!”

“Download the PDF and take a read!”

It’s all very action-orientated, but what if the information you want to access is on a QR code but you don’t have time to deal with it right there and then? Or someone WhatsApps you with a post they spotted and you want to find out more but can’t get at the QR code because you aren’t there in real life?

In steps the magic of accessing a QR code from your phone, which is shown right here in this video 👇👇👇

 

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A post shared by Destination Digital (@destination_digital)

But what if I don’t have an iPhone?

We’re iPhone babies, so all our tips are iPhone-first, but fear not if you haven’t got an Apple device.

If you already have the QR code saved in your gallery:

• Open the Google Photos
• Select the screenshot or photo with the QR code.
• Tap the Lens icon at the bottom.
• Lens will detect the QR code and show the link.

More QR Code Quick Tips

Do you want some more QR code quick tips? Read on!

How to find your QR code for your LinkedIn Profile

• Open your LinkedIn app
• Click in the ‘Search’ bar at the top
• When your cursor is flashing in this search bar you will see an icon to the right in the search bar. It looks like a square cut into four pieces. Click this.
• There’s your LinkedIn profile QR code that the person sat next to you will be able to scan.
• Remember to click to connect!

How to find your QR code for your Instagram account

• Open your Instagram app
• Click the ‘profile’ button in the bottom right of your screen – it’s the one that looks like a minature version of your logo
• Click ‘share profile’ – usually the middle button in the line of buttons above your pinned highlights and timeline
• The person sat next to you can now scan the code
• Remember to click follow!

How to find your QR code for your TikTok account

• Open your TikTok app
• Click the ‘hamburger’ menu in the top right (the three horizontal lines)
• Click ‘Your QR code’
• The person sat next to you can now scan the code
• Remember to click follow!

How to find your QR code for your Facebook account

• Open your Facebook app and make sure you are signed in as your company page
• Click the ‘search’ in the top right (the magnifying glass)
• Type in ‘QR code’
• Select the QR Code option in the search results
• Toggle to the ‘QR Code’ tab
• The person sat next to you can now scan the code
• Remember to click follow!

How to make a QR code for use for your own business

There are lots of tools out there, but we used the free Adobe Express QR Generator tool.

Other articles in this series

We put this series of articles together ahead of our presentation at the FSB Bootcamp at Pride Park in Derby on 18 September 2025. We showcased some tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your smart phone for digital marketing without having to invest in lots of expensive kit.

Read the other articles in this series:

• Essential smart phone accessories for digital marketing pros
• Essential iPhone apps every digital marketer should have on their phones
• How to open a QR code from your home screen
• How to schedule social posts on your phone’s native apps for free

And here are a load of links from our presentation to ‘show-not-tell’, with lots of tips and tricks:

• How using a gimbal helps you produce smoother video
• Take a look at CapCut’s reverse clip tool (and take a look at how to use an overlay tripod too)
• How to make simple text replacements in your phone to save you time
• How to screen record to help you make content, how to guides and get creative with this phone feature
• Take a look at the new ‘repost’ feature on Instagram
• Take a look at the new ‘beats’ feature on Instagram and Edits
• Ideas for using slo-mo for making video content
• Ideas for using timelapse for making video content
• Tips on checking the layout and background when taking photos on your phone
• Keep your video edits tight to keep the viewer engaged
• BONUS: Play around with CapCut templates for a quick and easy way to make content for social media
• BONUS: How to use the split-screen template in CapCut
• BONUS: Storytelling with an unboxing to show off your product
• BONUS: Storytelling by showcasing your making process
• BONUS: How to collaborate on social media

Contact us

If you’d like to talk to us about this news piece, or you’d like help with digital marketing strategy, content marketing, SEO or anything else digital, please email us on info@destination-digital.co.uk or give us a call on 01629 810199.