How to Scan and Share QR Codes for Wi-Fi Passwords

Why Typing Wi-Fi Passwords Is a Dying Habit

A properly configured WPA2/WPA3 pre-shared key is a random string of up to 63 characters. Reading that off a sticky note to a guest, character by character, is slow and error-prone — one mistaken zero-versus-O and the connection fails silently. Both iOS/iPadOS and Android now support the Wi-Fi Alliance's QR-based provisioning format natively, so you can encode an entire network profile (SSID, password, and security type) into a scannable image. No app installs, no typos.

The format itself is a plain-text string with a standardized syntax:

WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyNetworkName;P:MyPassword123;H:false;;

Where T is the security type (WPA covers WPA/WPA2/WPA3, or nopass for open networks), S is the SSID, P is the password, and H indicates whether the network is hidden. Any standard QR generator can turn that string into a scannable code, and any modern phone camera can read it back.

Generating a QR Code Directly From Your Router (Easiest Path)

Most consumer routers manufactured in the last few years already generate this code for you inside their admin panel or companion app — look for it before generating one manually:

• Router admin page: Log into the router's web UI and check the Wireless or Wi-Fi settings page for a "QR Code" or "Share Network" button.
• Mesh apps (Google Wifi/Nest Wifi, eero, TP-Link Deco, Netgear Orbi, Amazon Wifi): open the app, select the network, and tap Share > QR Code or the guest-network invite option.

Sharing a Wi-Fi QR Code Directly From an iPhone

If you're already connected to the network on your iPhone and know the password, you don't need any third-party tool at all:

1. Open Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the blue (i) info icon next to the network you're connected to.
3. Tap Share Password when a nearby iPhone or iPad (also on Wi-Fi/Bluetooth range, with your Apple ID in their contacts) requests it — this uses AirDrop-style proximity sharing, not a QR code, and only works device-to-device between Apple devices.

For a scannable QR code specifically (which works with any phone, not just Apple-to-Apple), use the Shortcuts app or a free QR generator app, feeding it the WIFI:T:WPA;S:...;P:...;; string above with your actual SSID and password substituted in.

Generating a QR Code From Android

Android has had native Wi-Fi QR sharing built into Settings since Android 10:

1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Internet (or Wi-Fi depending on OEM skin).
2. Tap the gear icon next to the network you're currently connected to.
3. Tap Share (often shown as a QR code icon).
4. Authenticate with your fingerprint, face unlock, or PIN — Android requires this since it's effectively revealing your saved password.
5. A QR code appears on screen. Hold it up for the guest to scan.

Scanning a Wi-Fi QR Code to Join a Network

On both platforms, joining is just a camera scan:

• iPhone/iPad: Open the built-in Camera app and point it at the code. A notification banner appears — tap it, then tap Join in the confirmation prompt. No separate QR scanner app is needed.
• Android: Open Camera (most OEM camera apps auto-detect QR codes) or use Google Lens. Tap the resulting Wi-Fi prompt and confirm.

The device connects immediately — the password is never displayed in plaintext to the person scanning, which is a meaningful security improvement over reading it aloud or texting it.

Printing a Permanent QR Code for an Office or Guest Room

For a network that rarely changes (a guest SSID, a lobby kiosk network, a conference room), it's worth generating a printable QR code once rather than repeating this every visit:

1. Build the WIFI:T:WPA;S:SSID;P:PASSWORD;; string with your actual credentials.
2. Paste it into any free online QR generator (search "QR code generator," pick text/plain input) or use a local tool like qrencode on Linux/macOS.
3. Download the PNG or SVG and print it onto a small card or frame it near the router.

Troubleshooting

• Scan does nothing: Confirm the QR string starts with WIFI: exactly — a common mistake is generating a plain-text QR code (which just opens a text viewer) instead of the Wi-Fi-schema one.
• "Incorrect password" after scanning: Special characters like semicolons, commas, or backslashes in the password must be escaped with a backslash (\;, \,, \\) inside the QR string, or the parser will truncate the field early.
• Hidden networks: Set H:true; in the string, or the guest's phone won't attempt to join a network it can't see broadcasting.