Wi-Fi
How to make a Wi-Fi QR code
7 min read · Updated 24 June 2026
Make your Wi-Fi QR code now — fill in your network and download it free, no watermark.
What is a Wi-Fi QR code?
A Wi-Fi QR code is a standard QR code that stores your network name (SSID), password and security type as a short piece of text. When a phone scans it, the camera offers a one-tap “Join network” prompt — the phone fills in the password for you. It works on iPhone (iOS 11+) and Android (10+) straight from the camera, with no special app. Because the credentials are baked into the pattern itself, the code works offline and forever; nothing is fetched from the internet to read it.
Under the hood it encodes a string in a well-known format documented by the QR standard, ISO/IEC 18004. You don’t need to understand it to use the tool above, but we cover it below for the curious — and because handling it correctly is what makes a code actually scan.
How to create a Wi-Fi QR code
Using the generator above:
- 1
Choose the Wi-Fi type
It’s already selected for you above. The form asks for exactly what a phone needs.
- 2
Enter your network name (SSID)
Type it exactly as it appears, including capital letters — SSIDs are case-sensitive.
- 3
Pick your security type
Almost always WPA/WPA2/WPA3. Choose “No password” only for genuinely open networks.
- 4
Enter the password
Type it carefully. Special characters are handled automatically (see below).
- 5
Download or print it
Export a PNG for screens or a vector SVG/PDF for print — watermark-free, any size. Stick it on the fridge, a table tent or a reception sign.
Test before you print
Scan your finished code with one iPhone and one Android before printing a hundred copies. It takes ten seconds and saves a reprint.
Which security type should I choose — WPA, WEP or none?
This must match how your router is configured, or the phone will connect with the wrong settings and fail.
| Setting | Use it when | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WPA/WPA2/WPA3 | Almost every modern home and business network | The default. One “WPA” option covers WPA, WPA2 and WPA3 on virtually all phones. |
| WEP | Very old routers only | Obsolete and insecure — replace the router if you still use it. |
| No password (open) | Genuinely open guest networks | No password is stored or required to join. |
What about WPA3?
WPA3 networks are backwards-compatible: choosing “WPA” works on essentially all current devices. The QR standard most phones follow uses the WPA token for WPA/WPA2/WPA3; a newer SAE token exists for pure-WPA3 but has patchier support. For maximum compatibility, leave it on WPA.
Passwords with special characters
This is where most “free” generators quietly break. Characters like ; : , \ and " have special meaning inside the Wi-Fi QR format and must be escaped, or the code will encode a truncated or wrong password. OpenQR escapes them for you automatically, so a password like Café;2024\Guest still works. You don’t need to do anything — just type the real password.
Can I make a Wi-Fi QR code for a hidden network?
Yes. If your router doesn’t broadcast its SSID, switch on Hidden network in the generator. This sets a flag that tells the phone to actively look for the network by name, which it won’t find otherwise. If your network is visible (the normal case), leave it off.
How to join a Wi-Fi network by scanning the QR code
iPhone: open the Camera app, point it at the code, and tap the “Join Wi-Fi Network” banner that appears. Android: open the Camera (or Google Lens), point it at the code, and tap the network prompt. On both, no app or internet is needed to read the code. iPhone and Android codes are cross-compatible — a code you make works on either.
Do I need to reprint if my Wi-Fi password changes?
Yes — a Wi-Fi QR code stores the password directly, so if you change the password you’ll need to generate and reprint a new code. That’s also the privacy upside: the code is just your credentials, with no tracking redirect and nothing that can expire or be switched off by a third party. Reprinting takes seconds here, and it’s free.
Where Wi-Fi QR codes are useful
- Cafes and restaurants — a table-tent code instead of writing the password on a board.
- Airbnbs and holiday lets — guests connect the moment they arrive.
- Offices and clinics — a guest network sign in reception.
- Home — stick one inside a cupboard so visitors (and you) never hunt for the password again.
Is sharing Wi-Fi by QR code safe?
It’s as safe as the password itself — the code simply contains the same credentials you’d read aloud, in a form that’s harder to mistype. It does not store browsing data or track anyone. For public spaces, use a separate guest network so visitors never touch your main devices, and place the printed code somewhere only your intended guests can see it. Because OpenQR generates everything in your browser, your password is never uploaded to us.
Troubleshooting: Wi-Fi QR code not working
- It scans but won’t connect: the security type or password is wrong. Double-check WPA vs WEP and re-type the password exactly (watch for capitals).
- Nothing happens when scanning: some older phones need Google Lens or a QR app rather than the bare camera. Update the OS if you can.
- Code looks blurry or won’t scan from print: export an SVG or a high-resolution PNG and keep a clear white margin (quiet zone) around it.
- Hidden network won’t join: make sure you enabled the Hidden toggle when generating.
- Smart-home gadget can’t scan: many IoT devices can’t read Wi-Fi QR codes at all — enter the password manually on those.
The Wi-Fi QR code format (for the curious)
A Wi-Fi QR code encodes a string like this:
WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyNetwork;P:MyPassw0rd;H:false;;
T— security type:WPA,WEPornopass.S— the SSID (network name).P— the password (omitted for open networks).H—trueonly for hidden networks.- Special characters in
SandPare backslash-escaped; the whole string ends with;;.
Want to brand it?
Add your logo and colours, or a “Scan to connect” frame, in the customise panel — all free, all watermark-free.