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How to Scan and Save a vCard QR Code

How to import a contact from a vCard QR code on iPhone and Android — and what to do if the scan doesn't work.

A vCard QR code stores your contact details in a standard format that iOS and Android both understand. When someone scans it, their phone opens the contact card ready to save — name, email, phone, all of it, with no typing. The exact steps depend slightly on the device.

On iPhone (iOS)

Apple's Camera app has supported QR scanning natively since iOS 11. You don't need a third-party scanner app — in fact, skip those entirely, they're usually ad-heavy or worse.

1

Open the Camera app

Home screen, lock screen, or Control Center all work.

2

Point the rear camera at the QR code

Don't tap the shutter — just hold it steady. The code should be fully visible in the viewfinder.

3

Tap the yellow banner

It'll say something like "vCard" or "Contacts." This opens the contact card in your Contacts app.

4

Review and save

Check the fields look right, then tap "Create New Contact" at the bottom. If you're updating an existing contact, tap "Update Existing Contact" instead.

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If the camera isn't picking it up

Swipe down from the top-right of your screen to open Control Center. Tap the icon that looks like a small square with a bar through it. This is Apple's dedicated QR scanner — it's more aggressive about recognizing codes in low light and lets you enable the flashlight at the same time.

On Android

Android's approach varies slightly by manufacturer, but the default camera app handles vCard QR codes on most modern devices.

1

Open your camera app

2

Check that QR scanning is enabled

On Samsung devices, look in the camera settings for "Scan QR codes." On Pixel devices, it's on by default.

3

Point it at the code

A small tooltip will appear — it'll say "Add contact" or show the person's name.

4

Tap the tooltip

5

Pick your contacts app when prompted

Usually Google Contacts.

6

Tap Save

The fields will already be filled in.

When the code doesn't scan

If the camera is pointed at the code but nothing happens, it's almost always a printing or design issue with the card, not the phone.

Making a code that actually scans

If you're the one creating the code, keep the data lean. Name, job title, company, one phone number, one email, website — that's it. The simpler the payload, the less dense the matrix, and the more reliably it scans across all devices and lighting conditions.

Generate your vCard code

Free, runs in your browser, no account needed. Download the PNG and add it to your next business card print run or email signature.

Generate Contact QR Code