How a WiFi QR code works
WiFi QR codes encode your credentials in a small, standardised text format defined by Wi-Fi Alliance, called WPA-Personal QR. The encoded string looks like this:
WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyHomeNetwork;P:s0meP@ssword;H:false;;
When you scan that QR with a modern phone camera (iPhone 11+, Pixel, Galaxy, most Android 10+), the phone recognises
the prefix WIFI: and offers a "Join Network" prompt with the correct SSID and password
pre-filled. One tap and the phone joins.
No app required. No special scanner. The phone's stock Camera app handles it.
Where to use it
- Home guest WiFi. Print and stick on the fridge. Visitors get online without you spelling out your password every time.
- Cafes and restaurants. Tabletop card or counter sign with the QR — much faster than the barista repeating the password ten times an hour.
- Airbnb and rental properties. Include the QR in the welcome book. Guests connect in 10 seconds instead of fumbling with the password from the listing.
- Office reception. Print at A5 size at reception — visitors and contractors connect without IT involvement.
- Conferences and events. Put the WiFi QR on signage at the entrance. Saves your tech support an entire day of password recitals.
- Smart home devices. Some IoT devices (cameras, hubs) can be set up by pointing them at a WiFi QR, skipping the awkward app-based setup flow.
How big to print it
- Business card / corner of a menu — 2.5cm × 2.5cm minimum. Add a 4mm white border ("quiet zone") around the QR.
- A4 sheet on the fridge — 8–10cm square is plenty. Readable from a meter away.
- Wall poster in a cafe — 15–20cm square. Scannable across the room.
- Don't go smaller than 2cm on a smooth surface, or smaller than 3cm on rough/textured paper. Below that, phone cameras struggle with focus.
Security: should you print your password?
A WiFi QR encodes the password in plain text. Anyone who can see the QR can extract the password (with another QR scanner). That's the same security model as writing the password on a chalkboard — fine in trusted environments, not great in fully public ones.
For shared/business networks, the right practice is:
- Use a guest network separate from your main network. Most modern routers support a second WiFi network with its own password and no access to your other devices.
- Put the QR on the guest network, not your main one. If the QR leaks, only the guest network is exposed.
- Rotate the guest password every few months — generate a fresh QR and replace the printed copy.
Frequently asked
What is a WiFi QR code?
A QR code that encodes your network name, password, and security type in a special format. Scanned by any modern phone camera, it triggers a "Join Network" prompt — no password typing needed.
Which phones can scan WiFi QR codes?
iPhone (iOS 11 and later), Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, and most Android phones running Android 10+. The default Camera app handles it. On older phones, any free QR scanner from the app store works.
Is it safe to print my password as a QR?
The QR contains the password in plain text — anyone who can see/photograph the QR can extract it. Fine for trusted environments (home, Airbnb guests, cafe regulars). For higher-security setups, use a separate guest network with its own password and put the QR on that.
Does it work with hidden networks?
Yes. Check the "Hidden network" box. The QR tells the phone the SSID won't broadcast, and most modern phones handle that correctly.
Does the QR work for WPA3 / WPA2 / WPA?
Yes. The format covers all of WPA/WPA2/WPA3 under the single "WPA" type — phones auto-negotiate the correct variant during connection. Select "WEP" only if your router is truly using WEP (which is legacy and insecure — replace the router if you can).
Is my password sent anywhere when generating the QR?
No. The QR generator runs entirely in your browser using a JavaScript library. The password is encoded into the QR locally on your device. Open dev tools, Network tab, type a password — no requests are sent.