How to Share WiFi With a QR Code (iPhone & Android)

Reading out a long WiFi password to every guest gets old fast, especially when it looks like Xk7#mP2q!Lahore. A WiFi QR code fixes that: guests point their phone camera at it and join in one tap, with no typing and no spelling mistakes. This guide shows how to share WiFi with a QR code on Android and iPhone, how to make a printable WiFi QR code for free, and how to keep your network safe while you do it.

How a WiFi QR code works

A WiFi QR code is not a link to a website. It stores your network details as plain text in a standard format that phone cameras understand:

WIFI:T:WPA;S:YourNetworkName;P:YourPassword;;

T is the security type (WPA, WEP or none), S is the network name (SSID) and P is the password. When a phone scans the code, it reads these details and offers to join the network. Nothing is stored online, so the code keeps working until you change the network name or password.

Share WiFi from an Android phone

Most Android phones running Android 10 or later can show a QR code for the network they are connected to:

1. Open Settings and go to Network & internet (or Connections on Samsung), then WiFi.
2. Tap the gear icon next to the network you are connected to.
3. Tap Share or the QR code button and confirm with your fingerprint, face or PIN.
4. Your guest scans the QR code on your screen with their camera.

Menu names differ a little between brands, but the share button is always in the details of the connected network.

Share WiFi from an iPhone

iPhones have two built-in options:

• Share with a nearby Apple device: when a friend’s iPhone, iPad or Mac tries to join your network, your unlocked iPhone shows a Share Password pop-up. Tap it and their device joins. This works when you are saved in each other’s contacts and both devices have WiFi and Bluetooth on.
• Show a QR code (iOS 18 and later): open the Passwords app, tap WiFi, choose your network and tap Show Network QR Code. Anyone, including Android users, can scan it.

On older iPhones there is no built-in QR option for WiFi, so the easiest way is to make one online, as shown below.

Make a printable WiFi QR code online, free

Showing a code on your phone works for one guest. For a home, shop or office, a printed code is better because it is always there. Here is how to make one with the free WiFi QR code generator:

1. Type your network name (SSID) exactly as it appears on your phone, including capital letters and spaces.
2. Type the password and choose the security type. Most home and office routers use WPA/WPA2.
3. Pick a size (1024 px is good for printing) and, if you like, a colour. Keep the code dark on a light background.
4. Download it as PNG for a printout or SVG for a large sign that stays sharp at any size.
5. Test the code with an Android phone and an iPhone before you print it.

The code is created in your browser, so your WiFi password is never sent to a server.

Where to put it and printing tips

• Cafés and restaurants: on table stands, the menu or the counter.
• Shops, clinics and offices: at reception or in the waiting area.
• Airbnb and guest houses: framed by the door or in the welcome folder.
• Home: on the fridge or near the router for visiting family and friends.

Print the code at least 3 × 3 cm, and bigger for a wall sign. Add a short line such as “Scan to join our WiFi” with the network name underneath, so people who cannot scan can still type it. Running a business? Put a WhatsApp QR code next to it so customers can message you, or link to your menu or website with the QR code generator.

Keep your network safe

• Use a guest network for visitors. Most routers let you create a separate guest WiFi. Share that one, not the network your computers and cameras use.
• Anyone who can see the code can join. Do not post a photo of it online or place it where people outside can scan it.
• Use a strong password. A QR code means nobody has to type it, so it can be long and random. Make one with the password generator.
• Change the password from time to time, for example when staff leave, and print a new code.

WiFi QR code not working? Quick fixes

• Wrong name or password: both are case-sensitive. Check capital letters, spaces and symbols.
• Wrong security type: if your router uses WPA2 or WPA3, choose WPA/WPA2. Choose None only for open networks.
• Hidden network: some phones will not join a hidden network from a QR code. Make the network visible, or add it manually.
• Old phone: iPhones need iOS 11 or later to join WiFi from the camera. On older Android phones, scan with Google Lens.
• Blurry or tiny print: print larger and keep strong contrast between the code and the background.

Frequently asked questions

Can I share WiFi without telling the password?

Yes. With a WiFi QR code, guests scan and join without seeing or typing the password. Keep in mind that the password is stored inside the code, so a tech-savvy person could read it with a QR scanner app.

Does a WiFi QR code expire?

No. It works for as long as your network name and password stay the same. If you change either one, make and print a new code.

Do WiFi QR codes work on both iPhone and Android?

Yes. iPhones with iOS 11 or later join from the Camera app, and Android phones join through the camera or Google Lens.

Is it safe to make a WiFi QR code online?

It is safe with a generator that creates the code in your browser, like the ToolMaxo WiFi QR code generator. Your network name and password are never uploaded to a server.