How to Share Your Wi-Fi with a QR Code

Every household has the same ritual. A guest asks for the Wi-Fi, someone finds the router, turns it over, and reads out a 16-character password while the guest types it wrong twice.

A Wi-Fi QR code ends that. Guests point their camera at it, tap the prompt, and they’re on. It takes two minutes to set up.

How a Wi-Fi QR code works

The code holds a short line of text in a standard format that phones recognise, something like:

WIFI:T:WPA;S:HomeNetwork;P:your-password;;

T is the security type, S the network name and P the password. The phone reads this and offers to join. Nothing goes over the internet; the details are in the code itself, which is why a Wi-Fi code has to be a static QR code.

Which phones support it

• iPhone and iPad: the built-in Camera app has handled Wi-Fi codes since iOS 11. A “Join network” banner appears.
• Android: most phones from the last several years join from the camera or through Google Lens. Some brands put the option inside the Wi-Fi settings screen (“scan QR code” next to the network list).
• Laptops: generally can’t scan, so keep the password written somewhere for them, or print it on the card.

Getting the details exactly right

Most Wi-Fi codes that “don’t work” have one detail wrong:

Special characters like ;, :, , and quotes have to be escaped inside the code. A good generator does that for you, so type the password exactly as it is.

Routers with two network names

Some routers broadcast separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, such as Home and Home_5G. Make the code for whichever you want guests on. The 2.4 GHz one has longer range; the 5 GHz one is faster near the router. You can make two codes if you like.

Use a guest network if you can

Anyone who scans the code has your password, and can share it, or a photo of the card, with anyone. Most routers let you create a guest network in the admin page, often under “Guest Wi-Fi” or “Guest access”. It gives visitors internet access but keeps them away from your laptops, printers and cameras. Put the QR code on the guest network and keep your main password private.

For a café, office reception or rental flat, a guest network is close to essential. Change its password every few months, then print a new code.

Ways to display it

• Home: a small card on the fridge or in the guest room. Our Wi-Fi QR code generator can make a printable card with the network name.
• Café or restaurant: on table tents next to the menu QR code, or at the counter.
• Holiday rental: framed in the welcome folder, together with check-out instructions.
• Office: at reception and in meeting rooms, for the guest network only.

Sharing from your own phone

If you only need to share occasionally, your phone may already do it. Many Android phones show a QR code for the connected network under Wi-Fi settings (tap the network, then “Share”). iPhones can share a Wi-Fi password with nearby Apple devices in the contacts list. A printed code is still handier for regular visitors and anyone on a different phone brand.

If it doesn’t connect

1. Check the security type.

   A WPA network saved as WEP will never connect. Regenerate the code with WPA/WPA2/WPA3.

2. Check the password hasn’t changed.

   Routers reset after updates or repairs. Compare against the current password.

3. Check the network name.

   Capitals and spaces matter: “Home WiFi” is not “home wifi”.

4. Check the phone is in range.

   Scanning works anywhere, joining only works near the router.

Frequently asked questions