How to scan a QR code that appears on your phone screen

Method 1: Via the Photos app (The simplest way)

The fastest way is to take a screenshot of the QR code, then let your phone's built-in intelligence read it.

On iPhone (iOS)

1. Take a screenshot of the page containing the QR code.

2. Open the Photos app and tap the screenshot.

3. Press and hold your finger directly on the QR code for a second, or tap the small Live Text icon (a square with lines) at the bottom right.

4. A pop-up menu will appear with the link (e.g., open in Safari or open Coinbase). Tap it.

On Android (Samsung, Google Pixel, etc.)

1. Take a screenshot of the QR code.

2. Open your Gallery or Google Photos app and open the image.

3. Tap the Google Lens icon (which looks like a small colorful camera or square, often located at the bottom of the screen).

4. Google Lens will analyze the image and instantly display the clickable button above the QR code.

Method 2: The direct trick with Google Lens (Android)

If you are on Android, sometimes you don't even need to take a screenshot if the code is on a website.

1. Activate Google Assistant (by swiping from the bottom corner or saying "Hey Google").

2. Tap the "Search screen" option or the Google Lens camera icon that appears in the search bar.

3. The phone will "scan" what is currently displayed on screen and extract the QR code link.

Method 3: Inside crypto apps (e.g., Coinbase Wallet)

If your clients are using a crypto wallet app like Coinbase Wallet, many of them feature an option directly inside their camera scanner:

1. When they open the app's scanner, there is usually a small "Photo Gallery" or image icon in a corner of the camera screen.

2. They just need to tap it, select the screenshot of your invoice's QR code, and the app will import it and automatically execute the payment.