Why a WiFi QR code works
Modern phones recognise a specific text format that signals "this is a WiFi network." When the camera reads it, instead of opening a URL, the phone offers to join the network. iOS has supported this since 2017; Android since 2019.
The format under the hood
The QR encodes a string like WIFI:T:WPA;S:NetworkName;P:Password;; — semicolons, commas, colons, double quotes, and backslashes inside the password get escaped automatically by this generator.
Other QR types
Frequently asked questions
Does this work on iPhone and Android?
Yes — iPhone since iOS 11 (2017) and Android since version 10 (2019). Older Android can use Google Lens.
Why isn't my QR code working?
Most often: wrong security type (use WPA even if the network is WPA2 or WPA3), unescaped special characters in the password (this generator handles them), or an image that is too small or low-contrast.
Is my password sent anywhere?
No. The QR code is generated locally in your browser. There is no backend.
Should I use my main network or a guest network?
If your router supports a guest network, use that. Guest networks are isolated, so anyone who joins via the QR cannot see your printer, NAS, or other devices on the LAN.