How to create and share a Wi-Fi QR code

💡Need to know

• Skip the password spelling test—Wi‑Fi QR codes let guests connect instantly without typing long passwords.
• Most phones can scan Wi‑Fi QR codes automatically—Newer iPhone® and Android™ devices usually connect straight from the camera app.
• Guest networks are safer to share—They help keep smart home devices and personal data separated.
• QR code suddenly stop working?—The network password probably changed.

It's your turn to host game night, and everyone is clamoring to get on your Wi-Fi network. But the last thing you want to do is sound out your complicated password: "Lower-case A... then capital J... then a zero..." Talk about a pain. The good news: you can easily generate a QR code that lets people connect to your Wi‑Fi network instantly.

Asurion Experts help people set up Wi-Fi, smart TVs, tablets, streaming devices, and connected home tech every day. One of the easiest setup tricks we recommend is using Wi‑Fi QR codes to speed up guest access and reduce typing errors during device setup. Here’s how Wi‑Fi QR codes work, how to create one, and what to do if it stops working.

How to create a Wi-Fi QR code on Android

Phones with Android 10 and newer have a built-in Wi-Fi QR code generator, so you don't need to download anything. Here's how to create a code:

1. Connect your phone to the Wi-Fi network you plan to share.
2. Open the Settings app.
3. Tap Wi-Fi or Network & internet > Internet.
4. Tap the gear icon next to your network name.
5. Tap QR code or Share.
6. Enter your phone password or use your fingerprint to confirm your identity.

To share your Wi-Fi Android QR code, ask your guests to scan the code with their phone cameras. This lets them immediately connect with your network without entering the Service Set Identifier (SSID) and password.

Plan to reuse your code later? Take a screenshot of the image, or print it out. You can also regenerate it by repeating these steps.

Some phones let you bypass this whole process by using the Android Wi-Fi share button. This creates a hotspot that tethers the guest's phone to your own. Here's how:

1. Swipe down to open your phone's main menu.
2. Tap Hotspot to activate it.
3. On the other device, go to Settings > Internet.
4. Tap your phone's hotspot name and tap Connect.

Using a mobile hotspot is often slower than connecting to the internet directly, so consider how fast the Wi-Fi needs to be. If your guest wants to stream videos or scroll social media, a Wi-Fi QR code may give them a better connection.

How to share your network on iPhone

Creating an iPhone Wi-Fi QR code is simple—you can do it in the time it takes to heat up your party dip. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the blue "i" (information) icon next to the network you are currently connected to.
3. Tap Share Network (or tap Password and verify your identity with Face ID/Touch ID).
4. A clean, scannable QR code will instantly appear on your screen alongside your network name. Your guests can point their camera at it to connect, or you can take a screenshot.

Maybe you want to send your guests the QR code directly, say, before they arrive. Tap the QR code on your phone, then tap the Share icon. This gives you the option to send the code through AirDrop®, email, and other channels.

How to scan a Wi‑Fi QR code

Most newer phones can scan Wi‑Fi QR codes directly using the camera app.

On iPhone:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Point it at the QR code.
3. Tap the Wi‑Fi notification banner.
4. Your iPhone should connect automatically.

On Android:

1. Open the Camera app or Google Lens™.
2. Scan the QR code.
3. Tap the network prompt.
4. Confirm connection if needed.

Some older phones may require a QR scanner app.

Is sharing Wi‑Fi with a QR code safe?

Usually, yes—as long as you’re careful about where and how you share it. A Wi‑Fi QR code contains:

• your network name
• your password
• your security type

To share Wi‑Fi more safely:

• Use a guest network when possible
• Avoid posting QR codes publicly online
• Change passwords occasionally
• Remove old guest access if needed

We usually recommend sharing guest networks instead of main home networks whenever possible—especially for smart home devices and visitors.

Common Wi‑Fi QR code problems

Even simple Wi‑Fi sharing tools can occasionally stop working. Here are a few common issues and their solutions:

The QR code won’t scan

Try:

• Increasing brightness
• Moving closer
• Cleaning the camera lens
• Avoiding glare

The phone scans it, but won’t connect

This often means:

• The password changed
• The network was renamed
• The router restarted
• The QR code is outdated

Older devices won’t recognize the QR code

Some older phones may require:

• Manual password entry
• QR scanning apps
• Software updates

Smart home devices still won’t connect

This can happen because:

• The device only supports 2.4GHz Wi‑Fi
• The router blocks new devices
• Guest isolation settings are enabled

The majority of QR-code connection issues we see are usually network-setting mismatches—not broken QR codes.

If you’re still having trouble connecting devices, you may need help setting up your home Wi‑Fi network.

FAQ

Can an Android device scan an iPhone's Wi-Fi QR code (and vice versa)?

Yes. Wi-Fi QR codes use a universal format, so most modern iPhone® and Android™ devices can scan and connect automatically regardless of which device created the code.

Will printing out my Wi-Fi QR code compromise my security?

Only if unauthorized people can access it. Anyone who scans the QR code can join your network, so it’s best to keep printed copies inside your home or on a guest network.

What should I do if a guest's phone camera won't read the QR code?

Try turning up screen brightness, cleaning the camera lens, or moving the phone farther back so it can focus. If it still won’t scan, use Google Lens™ or the iPhone Code Scanner tool instead of the regular camera app.