WiFi QR code

What’s inside the code

A WiFi QR code is a short line of text in a format phones recognise:

WIFI:T:WPA;S:Beach House;P:sunny-days-42;H:false;;

T is the security type, S the network name, P the password and H whether the network is hidden. Characters that have a special meaning in this format, backslash, semicolon, comma, colon and double quote, must be escaped with a backslash. This page does that for you, which matters more than it sounds: an unescaped semicolon in a password is the most common reason a WiFi code joins the wrong network or fails silently.

The password is stored as plain text, not encrypted. Anyone who scans the code, or reads it with a QR app, can see it. Treat a printed code exactly like the password written on paper.

Which phones can use it

iPhones on iOS 11 or later and most Android phones on Android 10 or later can join straight from the built-in camera. Older Android phones may need Google Lens or a scanner app. Laptops and desktops have no built-in way to join from a QR code, so keep the password handy for them.

For WPA3 routers, choose WPA / WPA2. Most WPA3 networks run in a mixed mode that accepts it, and phones negotiate the stronger protocol on their own.

When a guest can’t connect

• Check the network name for a trailing space or different capitals. It must match character for character.
• If you changed the router password, make a new code; the old one still contains the old password.
• Some routers broadcast separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks with different names. Make one code per name, or use the one with better range.
• If your router doesn’t broadcast its name, the phone won’t look for it unless Hidden network is ticked. Leave it unticked for normal, visible networks.

A safer setup for visitors

If your router supports a guest network, put that one in the code instead of your main network. Guests get internet access but can’t see your computers, printers or smart devices. For a rental, change the guest password every few months and print a fresh code.

Questions