What scanning a Wi-Fi QR code actually does

Modern phone cameras (iOS 11+ and most Android versions with a built-in scanner) recognize a specific text format inside the code — starting with WIFI: — and show a "Join network" prompt instead of opening it as a link. Tap it, and the phone connects using the credentials encoded in the pattern. Nothing is transmitted anywhere else; your password lives only inside the QR code itself.

Step by step

  1. Open the generator and select the Wi-Fi type from the QR Code tab.
  2. Enter the exact network name (SSID) — it's case-sensitive, so match it precisely.
  3. Enter the password. Leave it blank if the network is open.
  4. Choose the encryption type: WPA/WPA2/WPA3 covers the vast majority of routers made since the mid-2000s. Only pick WEP if you know that's specifically what your router uses (it's outdated and rare today). Pick "None" for an open network.
  5. Toggle Hidden network on only if you've actually disabled SSID broadcast in your router settings — leaving it off for a normal visible network is correct and won't cause issues.
  6. Style it if you like, then export. A clean, high-contrast style scans fastest for guests in a hurry.

Which encryption type should you actually pick?

Check your router's admin page or the sticker on the device — it usually says "WPA2-PSK," "WPA3," or similar directly. If you're not sure and the network works with a normal password on your phone today, WPA/WPA2/WPA3 is almost certainly correct.

Where this is genuinely useful

  • A small printed card or sticker near the router for guests
  • Framed on a café or waiting-room table
  • Included in an Airbnb or rental welcome guide
  • On a conference or coworking space welcome desk

Troubleshooting

If a scan doesn't prompt to join automatically: on iPhone, this requires iOS 11 or later and the native Camera app (not all third-party scanner apps support the Wi-Fi format). On Android, it depends on the device's camera app — Google's own Camera and most modern OEM camera apps support it, but some older or minimal camera apps only recognize plain URLs. If it's not working, have the guest open any general-purpose QR scanner app instead — those almost always support the Wi-Fi format even when the stock camera doesn't.

Passwords with special characters (;, ,, \, ") are handled automatically — the generator escapes them correctly in the encoded string, so just type your password exactly as it is.

Note: if you ever change your Wi-Fi password, the printed code stops working immediately, since it's static. Reprint it, or consider keeping the password stable if you rely on a physical QR sign.