Skip to content
MyQRGenerator

How to Make a Wi-Fi QR Code for Your Network

Let guests join your network without spelling out the password — and understand exactly what the code contains.

By MyQRGenerator team Updated 6 min read

A Wi-Fi QR code lets anyone join your network by pointing their camera at it and tapping “Join”. It's ideal for homes with frequent guests, cafés, offices, rentals and events. Here's how to make one that works first time, and what to consider about security.

What you need

  • Network name (SSID) — exactly as it appears in your phone's Wi-Fi list. It is case-sensitive, and spaces count.
  • Password — for WPA networks it is 8–63 characters.
  • Security type — almost always WPA/WPA2/WPA3. You can check it in your router settings or on the router's label.

Step-by-step

  1. Open the Wi-Fi QR code generator.
  2. Type the network name and password. Use the “Show” button to double-check the password.
  3. Choose the security type. Turn on Hidden network only if your router doesn't broadcast its name.
  4. Optionally style the code — keep it dark on a light background.
  5. Wait for Scan verified, then download PNG or PDF and print.

What's inside a Wi-Fi QR code

The code stores a short text in a format first defined by the ZXing project and now understood by iOS and Android:

WIFI:T:WPA;S:Home Network;P:my\;secret\:pass;;

T is the security type, S the SSID, P the password and H:true marks a hidden network. Because ;, :, ,, " and \ have special meaning, they must be escaped with a backslash — my;secret:pass becomes my\;secret\:pass. MyQRGenerator does this automatically; hand-made codes often get it wrong, which is the most common reason a Wi-Fi QR “doesn't work”.

Which phones support it?

  • iPhone and iPad: the Camera app recognises Wi-Fi codes on iOS 11 and later.
  • Android: the built-in camera or Google Lens on most phones from Android 10 onward; Samsung, Pixel and others support it natively.
  • Laptops: generally not — share the password another way.

Security considerations

A Wi-Fi QR code contains your password in readable text. Anyone who scans it — or photographs it — can read the password with any scanner app. That's the same as writing the password on a card, so:

  • Use a guest network for public codes, isolated from your main devices.
  • Change the guest password periodically and print a new code.
  • Don't post the code in places visible from the street or online.

MyQRGenerator generates the code entirely in your browser. Your network name and password are never sent to any server, logged or stored.

Printing tips

  • Size: at least 3 × 3 cm for table cards; 5 cm or more on a wall.
  • Add the network name and password as text below the code for laptops and older phones.
  • Laminate it — creases and smudges reduce readability.

Troubleshooting

  • “Unable to join network”: check the SSID capitalisation and the security type.
  • Phone shows text instead of a Join button: the camera app may not support Wi-Fi codes; try Google Lens.
  • Works on one phone but not another: some devices don't support WPA3-only networks. Use WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode on the router.